Sriwhana Spong
Deep Sounding
daadgalerie, Berlin
20 June – 11 August 2019

Deep Sounding – History As Multiple Narratives

With works by Maria Thereza Alves, Heba Y. Amin, Yael Bartana, Eric Baudelaire, Rossella Biscotti, Mariana Castillo Deball, Minerva Cuevas, Ho Rui An, Gülsün Karamustafa, Runo Lagomarsino, Maha Maamoun, David Maljković, Naeem Mohaiemen, Rabih Mroué, Octora, ALIAS by Damián Ortega, Arin Rungjang, Anri Sala, Erzen Shkololli, Sriwhana Spong, Nguyệt and TROI OI, Milica Tomić , Nora Turato, Akram Zataari.

In German, the dual meaning of the word Geschichte as both ‘history’ and ‘story’ highlights the key role played by narrative in the recording and telling of historical events. The ‘official’ and seemingly binding narrative of history is challenged by other interpretations that reflect a range of political, individual and subjective views. The reasons for such divergent perspectives are manifold and include traumas, changes to political systems and, not least, critical reflections on the imperialist narrative.

Deep Sounding – History as Multiple Narratives brings together artists with a shared interest in exploring the factors and background narratives that generate multiple perspectives on history. A particular focus of this presentation, which also includes works by current and former guests of the DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Program, are the subjective historiographies that emerge as a result of multiperspectivity. These involve the cognitive processes of assimilating history and rethinking existing – and often fictitious – hi(stories). The act of rearranging documentary material or breaking with linearity frequently provides the starting point for the creation of new narratives. In addition to linguistic narrative structures and language policy, above all the sensuousness of the charged material of historical events serves the participating artists as a vehicle of narrative communication.

The exhibition extends over both floors of the daadgalerie and is accompanied by a programme of performance-based events.

Curated by Anna Catharina Gebbers and Melanie Roumiguière