DAAD Art Show 2016 - Foreign Surface

Our annual art show gives DAAD funded art students a chance to present their work in their own exhibition during their stay abroad. This year’s exhibition takes place at the Dalston Printhouse Gallery in London from 28 October to 5 November. Show opening: 27 October, 7pm. Admission Free!

Fast paced, frenetic, sprawling: London is an eclectic place. It is so vast and complex in its structures that our visual and structural perception of the city is never absolute. Penetrating its surface in order to get to the substance of what millions of people call their home can be difficult, especially for someone coming from a foreign place.

London provides the common ground for seven artists chosen and supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). Ranging from the microscopic scale of textures to the macroscopic, existential scale of communities and relationships, each of their practices approaches the foreign surface of the city differently:

Theresa Volpp’s painted installation Surface I reflects on urban surfaces, such as building façades made of glass and steel, and explores their seductive qualities. In contrast to a seemingly ideal world of pristine luxury boutiques and superficial advertisements, Volpp’s abstract brushstrokes invoke a sense of being in the world. Christina Wörner’s focus is set on surface matter – she explores how materiality communicates and how surfaces on the digital screen find their way into our daily life. In her collaborative project Shine, the artist creates an elusive digital world to critically reflect on the seduction of shininess and narcissistic inclinations. Fascinated by bodybuilding, a sport that aims at cultivating the human body to a physical extreme, Michal Plata explores the full potential of somatic capabilities. What happens to the body when it reaches its limits? Does it enter the digital realm of virtual spaces and social media, only to be further fetishized? Does it become pure data?

In her work Being a dove Maria Euler visualizes invisible connections through an artificial magnetic field. The artist poses questions such as: Can the connection be made tangible without modern technology? Have we become insensitive to the forces that hold us in place? If we cannot be held in place, there is often one spot we seek out: home. In their film installation Und der Rhein fließt Hanna Schrage and Bella Riza combine three narratives about family, landscape and the journey home, that open up a personal story to a collectively graspable experience shared by many. In an attempt to conceive of abstract concepts in physical form, Elisa Caldana’s work Cage for Migratory Birds is a sculptural gesture towards complex topics of migration and identity. The artist plays on the inconceivable idea of a cage for birds, which never stay too long in one place but are forced to constantly relocate. On a larger scale, Moritz Maria Karl’s practice deals with everyday life and intends to connect people across various communities. His radio performance conveys a different approach towards local communication and decision-making.

Location: Dalston Printhouse Gallery, 18 Ashwin Street London E8 3DL

Advertisements by German Universities

1/18

Be part of the transition to the future shape of energy

Join our English-taught Bachelor of Science in Energy Systems Engineering and Management!

More

International Master’s program Mind, Brain and Behavior

Are you interested in studying human perception and behavior with state-of-the-art experimental and neuroscience methods? Join our Master’s program in Germany!

More

International Master program “African Studies” (M.A.)

The Master of African Studies offers students a uniquely interdisciplinary social sciences approach to the study of Africa. The programme critically engages the social, political and cultural dynamics...

More

Philosophy and Computer Science (M.A. / M.Sc.)

Think. Code. Transform. This interdisciplinary master’s programme combines philosophy and computer science to address challenges raised by modern information technologies.

More

Global Change Ecology (M.Sc.)

Your master’s degree linking natural science perspectives on global change with approaches in social science! Be a part of our international master’s programme and apply now!

More

Development Studies (M.A.)

Your Master’s degree to understand development processes in times of global change! Be a part of our highly internationalized programme and apply now!

More

Food Quality and Safety (M.Sc.)

Your master’s degree for a better world! Be a part of our international master’s programme at the Faculty of Life Sciences: Food, Nutrition and Health and apply now!

More

Study in Berlin – Summer and Winter

FUBiS is an intensive academic program of Freie Universität Berlin through which students can earn credits. Sessions run for 3 to 6 weeks taking place in summer and winter.

More

Applications open: Research in Design, Art and Media (M.A.)

Designing the Future: The Master's program for up-and-coming (media) artists, designers, photographers, filmmakers etc. Apply now for winter semester 2025!

More

Creating Sustainable Futures – Summer School 2025 at Kiel UAS

Unlock New Opportunities: Come on board the Summer School at Kiel University of Applied Sciences

More

Study in Berlin - MBA & International Master’s Programmes

Study management in English. Improve your leadership skills. Gain digital know-how. Become part of an international student body. Benefit from many corporate activities, valuable career consultation a...

More

Study at Germany´s oldest private business university

Since 1971, EBS Universität educates the leaders of tomorrow. Start your bachelor's or master's studies at EBS now and be empowered to make a difference in the world.

More

Become a Leader with your MBA European Management

Study your MBA with a focus on Entrepreneurship or Behavioural Management at Saarland University in the heart of Europe. Apply today and accelerate your career!

More

A degree that makes a difference – study at RPTU in Landau!

Embark on a journey to unravel environmental challenges with our international degrees in Environmental Sciences, Environmental Pollution Management and ENCHURE.

More

GET MA – Study Social Sciences with a Global Focus

GET MA – Global and European Transformations – is an interdisciplinary MA combining political science and sociology for careers in NGOs, public policy, and academia.

More

The University of Mannheim – your gateway to the world!

The University of Mannheim offers the perfect combination of top-ranked degree programs, international flair, and an ideal learning environment, right in the heart of Europe.

More

Study Paper Technology (M.Eng.) in Munich!

Paper Technology – the international high-tech Master programme for Engineers in the beautiful city of Munich! Where Engineering Meets Sustainability – Your Career in Fiber & Bio-Based Materials!

More

English-taught Bachelor Programs in Mechatronics & Mechanical Engineer...

Welcome at Aalen University of Applied Sciences – Discover your future in Germany and start your career with one of our fully English-taught bachelor programs Mechatronics Engineering and Mechanical E...

More

Contact

  • Branch Office London

    9 Gower Street London, WC1E 6HB Telephone: +44 (0) 20 7831 9511

    Office Hours

    • Mon – Thu: 9 am – 5 pm
    • Fri: 9 am – 3:30 pm

    Please make an appointment before your visit. Thank you.

Screenshot of map with location of DAAD-office marked