Opening

Fragile, ever-changing landscapes caught between the forces of nature, climate change, and cultural projections … Islands are the focus of this year’s summer exhibition at the Kunsthalle Wilhelmshaven. Literally built on sand, hardly any landscape is as ephemeral as the coastal and island landscapes of the sea. Located directly on the North Sea coast, the Kunsthalle Wilhelmshaven has a natural connection to this theme. In the past, natural disasters have left numerous traces in the region: For example, the “Grote Mandränke,” a storm surge in the 14th century, tore through the land, causing towns to sink (Rungholt) and bays to form (Jadebusen). The 2026 Climate Risk Index identifies Wilhelmshaven as the city in Germany most threatened by climate change. The exhibition focuses on both historical and contemporary processes of the emergence and disappearance of islands within a global context. International artistic practices—ranging from photography, video, and installation to drawings, sculpture, and live-action role-playing – explore islands as political, ecological, social, and imaginary spaces.
With: Carl Brandi | Julian Charrière | Christo & Jeanne-Claude | Rodney Graham | Abie Franklin & Daniel Hölzl | Jeewi Lee | Linda Marwan | Tita Salina | Fiona Tan | Marie Velardi und anderen

Free admission