UNDER ONE ROOF - “We Are the Future” Theme Day at the Museum Folkwang

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2024, 11 AM – 4 PM

The exhibition “We Are the Future: Visions of New Communities” at the Museum Folkwang in Essen presents artistic utopias of communal living, spanning from the Lebensreform movement around 1900 to the present day. On the occasion of the exhibition, we would like to reflect on how we want to live together in the future and what fosters community. What conditions are necessary for this – architecturally, urbanistically, ecologically, and politically? Which historical and contemporary models can serve as a guide for us?

Following a guided tour of the exhibition, a workshop including a city walk took place, which was followed, after a joint lunch break, by a lecture on architectural history and a moderated expert discussion. When addressing questions about the future coexistence of humans, animals, and plants in the built environment, we placed a special focus on the Ruhr region. In addition to experts in urban planning, new forms of housing, and urban ecology, residents of exemplary projects also shared their perspectives. The event was open to everyone and thrived on the ideas and contributions of the participants.

PROGRAM

PART 1
11 a.m. | Curator-led tour of the exhibition *We Are the Future: Visions of New Communities* with Antonina Krezdorn
Meeting point: Foyer, Museum Folkwang

12 p.m. | Family workshop *The City Is a Good Home* – How Can We Live Well Together?
With Annette Bathen (die Urbanisten e. V.) and Sebastian Schlecht (lala.ruhr)
Drawing on Bruno Taut’s thesis *The Earth—A Good Home*, we will explore the city around the museum with open eyes, discovering various forms of (bio)diverse coexistence. Using found objects, sketches, photos, and notes taken along the way, we will then create a representation in the museum of the participants’ ideas about today’s interconnected communities. Finally, during the lunch break, we can discuss new forms of coexistence.
Location: Salon Folkwang

2:00 p.m. | Group lunch at Salon Folkwang

PART 2
2:30 p.m. | Forms of communal living in European architectural history
Lecture by Anna Kloke (TU Dortmund)

3:00 p.m. | Discussion: Under One Roof
Moderator: Sebastian Schlecht (lala.ruhr)
With Anna Kloke, Manuel Färber, political and economic scientist, WohnBund-beratung NRW, and Peter Keil (Biologische Station Westliches Ruhrgebiet e. V.)
Location: Salon Folkwang

Admission: free (includes food and drinks)
Registration for Part 1 at: info@museum-folkwang.essen.de

Concept: Anna Kloke, TU Dortmund; Sebastian Schlecht, lala.ruhr, in collaboration with Peter Daners, Museum Folkwang