MY BODY IS A TEMPLE
2 November - 6 December 2024
exhibited artists: Hannah Bohnen, Felix Kultau, Jagoda Bednarsky, Julie Warwel, Andy Hmiliar, Johanna von Holst, Henri Haake, Camilla Inge Volbert (performance), Sonja Yakovleva (performance)
The exhibition MY BODY IS A TEMPLE provides insights into diverse perspectives in the world of self-care. Nine artistic positions examine the longing for physical and mental perfection of one's own lifestyle. The body functions as a projection surface for external self-presentation, but also as a medium of inner emotions and identity. Spas, nail salons, and similar relaxation spots are considered both social spaces and temporary retreats. They offer not just aesthetic benefits, but also healing and detoxifying effects on an individual level. The wellness and body cult industry encourages people to use their bodies as a means of belonging to a social group through their clothing style, hairstyle, body shape, or nail design. In certain cultural practices, the body and its ritualistic or manipulative treatment can be elevated to symbolize a specific social status or significance. Simultaneously, the desire for external recognition is closely tied to the deep longing for psychological balance and the care of physical and mental health.Visitors are invited to reconsider the body as a source of power, change, and self-determination. The exhibition addresses both the external perspective, which sees wellness and body worship as performance, and the internal view of self-care and individual needs.Another central aspect of the artistic explorations is the pursuit of an ‘ideal’ body and the associated well-being as
»The Dawn of Day«, 2024, oil and sand on canvas, 230 x 190cm
well as the rewarding feeling of balance that is sought through rituals such as facial or nail treatments, dietary supplements or workout plans. These practices can reflect a fine line between mindfulness, discipline and compulsion.The gap between naturalness and artificiality is presented in the exhibition as a fascinating field of tension that simultaneously attracts and challenges us. This play with reality is reminiscent of a dream world in which the longing for perfection and self-optimisation, coupled with the challenges of the modern way of life, becomes visible. MY BODY IS A TEMPLE encourages visitors to think about their own body perception and to critically reflect on how social norms and individual beliefs shape our understanding of self-care, body image and identity. At the same time, the exhibition itself opens up like a wellness and spa room and unites the artistic positions in an ambience between individual well-being, sensual pleasure and the artificiality of a staged art exhibition.
Verena Osthoff
Die Ausstellung MY BODY IS A TEMPLE zeigt neun künstlerische Positionen, welche die Sehnsucht nach psychischen und physischen Grenzen der Selbstfürsorge und Disziplin hinterfragen, in denen der Körper als Träger von Emotionen und Identität agiert. Dabei werden nicht nur rituelle und manipulative Praktiken, sondern auch körperliche Selbstinszenierung untersucht. Die Künstler*innen reflektieren über Wellness-Trends im Spannungsfeld zwischen Natürlichkeit und Künstlichkeit. Orte der Entspannung wie Spas oder Nagelstudios werden als temporäre Zufluchtsorte beleuchtet. Als Industrie des Körperkults versprechen diese individuell heilsame, entgiftende oder schlicht ästhetische Wirkungen. Die Gruppenausstellung bringt Arbeiten zusammen, die sich mit dem Körperkult als kulturelle Praxis beschäftigen und die sozialen Räume beleuchten, die sich innerhalb der Schönheitsindustrie und der Fitnessindustrie formen. Die Ausstellung lädt dazu ein, über den Körper als Medium der Macht, Transformation und Selbstbestimmung neu nachzudenken.
Verena Osthoff
MY BODY IS A TEMPLE
2 November - 7 December 2024
STUDIO HANNIBALL, Pappelallee 15, 10437 Berlin
Photos of the exhibition © Hans-Georg Gaul
Photos of the artworks © Henri Haake