We have a reason to celebrate:
The Berlin Global Village is implementing the new project “Decolonial Memorial” in 2023/24. This will involve an open, anonymous and worldwide art competition for the realization of a decolonial memorial sign – an artistic work that deals with decolonization. The artwork will be placed clearly visible on the forecourt of Berlin Global Village. The competition and the creation of the artwork will be accompanied by an extensive educational program and innovative public relations work on the topic of decolonization.
Background
German colonialism and its consequences have long been marginalized in Germany. But ongoing interventions from civil society have set a process in motion. To address the connection between German colonialism and developmental cooperation, an international art competition is being held. The project will initiate a dialogue to address the decolonial perspective. The artwork will then be permanently installed between or in front of the two buildings of the Berlin Global Village.
With the memorial sign, the Berlin Global Village will be marked and strengthened as a place of reflection on decolonial issues for both Berliners and international visitors.
The competition
The art competition is offered as a worldwide open two-phase art competition for professional artists* and artist groups. All contemporary art forms are possible.
The competition and the creation of the artwork will be accompanied by an extensive outreach program and innovative public relations work on the topic of decolonization. On 30.03.2023 the competition phase starts, in which artists* from all over the world can register for the competition until 07.05.2023.
A top-class international jury will decide in the two-phase process which design will be realized. The 20 artists* selected in the first phase will already receive 4,000 euros each for their participation in the second phase. Firmly confirmed for the seven-member jury are already:
- Kristina Leko (Berlin University of the Arts, visual artist)
- María Linares (visual artist)
- Prof. Dr. Walter Mignolo (Duke University)
- Prof. Dr. Chika Okeke-Agulo (Princeton University, visual artist)
- Michael Küppers-Adebisi (Berlin Global Village gGmbH, representative of the awarding authority)
Cooperation partners
The project is supported by Berlin Global Village gGmbH (BGV) in cooperation with the Büro für Kunst im öffentlichen Raum der Kulturwerk GmbH des bbk berlin e.V. The project itself is funded by the German Federal Government (BKM), the realization of the artwork ist funded by the State of Berlin (SenKultEU).
The circle of supporters of the decolonial civil society is formed by:
- AfricAvenir e.V.
- Afrika-Rat Berlin-Brandenburg e.V.
- AFROTAK TV cyberNomads
- Berlin Postkolonial e.V.
- DaMigra e.V.
- Decolonize Berlin e.V.
- Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland ISD-Bund e.V.
- Komitee für die Errichtung eines afrikanischen Denkmals in Berlin
- moveGLOBAL e.V.
