FREEDOM?

We are living in an era of dramatic cultural shift. In the past decades, freedom, the main pillar of any democratic society, was an assumed privilege.
But with the erosion of democracies, the rise of populist movements, the ascent of autocratic leaders, we are confronted with the harsh reality that freedom is not a cultural constant, but rather a brittle construct. This predicament serves as a starting point for the installation ‘FREEDOM?’

On approach the viewer observes what looks like an oversized illuminated Mikado hanging in the air. Where does ‘FREEDOM?’ hide itself? The installation is an astonishing anamorphosis. The message hidden in space is revealed by the visitor's path to a specific viewing axis. Only at this viewpoint the strokes come together to form the question 'FREEDOM?'.

The message is clear: Without movement, interaction in the truest sense, FREEDOM? cannot manifest itself. Creating it is a physical act. But even after the optical decoding, the point of departure of the installation remains ambiguous. The question mark forms the unconditional bridge to the present:

Various systems of thought all claim freedom and the freedom of some always curtails the freedom of others. We have to realise that the concept of freedom is foremost a matter of perspective, and its fragile equilibrium is a lingering question.

The installation is commissioned by Lichtfest Leipzig.

On October 9, 1989, more than 70,000 people demonstrated for freedom and democracy in Leipzig. These demonstration instigated a remarkable chain of events that led to the opening of the wall and the end of an era. The year 2024 marks the 35th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution. On October 9, the Leipzig Festival of Lights 2024 will stage the authentic protest route of the Monday demonstration: from 7 p.m. to midnight, over 20 light installations by international artists will line the entire inner city ring road.