Accumulation—on Collecting, Growth and Excess

The consequences of excessive growth are becoming ever more visible – and awareness of it is constantly increasing. Yet progress, prosperity and social status continue to be equated with the accumulation of material goods. Accumulation invites visitors to engage with the challenges of and alternatives to excess.

Over-consumption intensifies the climate crisis, deepens social inequalities and stabilises (neo-)colonial power relations. But what is the way out? What would the transition from a growth-oriented to a common-good-oriented society look like? The artists in this exhibition respond in different ways to this challenge: some address the issues directly, while others develop methodologies and strategies to counteract the logic of material accumulation.

In two sequences, ‘Accumulation’ explores the notion of accumulation as a defining phenomenon of the current time. In the first sequence, artistic positions critically evaluated the collection practices of museums, highlighted (neo-)colonial structures and identified the social challenges of sustained growth in relation to labour and production. The second sequence makes capital and accumulation tangible on a material and historical level, sheds light on the systemic consequences of the environmental crisis and explores how accumulation and prosperity depend on flexible boundaries between the private and public spheres. The exhibition also focuses on performances and provides additional in-depth theoretical insights in the form of two essays.

The exhibited works with their differing perspectives encourage reflection on the challenges of constant growth and invite discussions about visions for a society centred around the common good, environmental responsibility, and social justice.

With works by: Art & Language, Bare Minimum Collective, Clegg & Guttmann, Anne-Lise Coste (Uruk), Joana Hadjithomas & Khalil Joreige, Rindon Johnson, Mierle Laderman Ukeles, Nils Amadeus Lange, Gianni Motti, Yuri Pattison, Raqs Media Collective and others.