Parasites at the pool: Why a visit to the Humboldthain summer pool is worthwhile
It sounds unappealing, but it's worth seeing: parasitic visitors populate the sunbathing area of the outdoor pool. You should go there now, not despite it, but precisely because of it.
The smell of chlorine and fresh fries hangs in the warm summer air, small groups of people spread out on the lawn with colorful beach towels, and in between them, instead of lifebuoys and bright yellow swimming noodles, there are sculptures that seem somewhat out of place: This picture, which at first glance seems not entirely harmonious, will emerge in the next few days at the Humboldthain summer pool.
On June 7, just in time for the extended Whitsun weekend, "Parasite" will launch this year's summer program at the Tropez art space in Wedding, located on the edge of the outdoor swimming pool. And, as every year, the aim is to push the boundaries of how and, above all, where art can be presented. The sculptures created specifically for the exhibition will not be displayed rigidly and inviolably in a sterile gallery, but rather amidst the bustling activity of the swimming pool.
The individual works thus form part of a single idea: Here, art is viewed as a parasitic element that intrudes into a space not specifically created for it. The parasite—in this case, the installations created by each of the eight artists—is viewed not as destructive, but as productive. This representational concept is inspired by a theory by the French philosopher Michel Serres: He demonstrates how creative disruption and the loosening of norms and guidelines can open up new perspectives and foster creativity.
Since 2017, the outdoor pool has been transformed into a space for contemporary art during the summer season, offering young, international artists a platform to present their work in a somewhat unusual yet deliberately approachable way. The official opening will include a live performance and an Ikebena workshop, the art of flower arranging.
Humboldthain Summer Pool. Wiesenstraße 1, 13357 Berlin. Daily from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. From June 7 to September 7. Further information at www.tropeztropez.de
Berliner-zeitung
