Strangers and Freedom at BLMK Cottbus: Mona Höke and Kathrin Karras in Dialogue
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Strangers and Freedom: An Artful Dialogue about Pückler, Identity, and Cosmopolitan Longing
At the Brandenburg State Museum for Modern Art – Diesel Power Plant Cottbus, an exhibition cycle unfolds on July 21, 2026, which uniquely combines historical reflection and contemporary visual art. Strangers and Freedom approaches Prince Hermann von Pückler-Muskau as a cosmopolitan, border crosser, and projection figure – in dialogue between the visual worlds of Mona Höke and Kathrin Karras.
Painting and Photography in a Productive Tension
The exhibition thrives on the friction of two artistic handwritings. Mona Höke brings the openness of painting, while Kathrin Karras brings the precision and depth of photographic art. According to the event announcement, both do not only work side by side but also collaboratively on images. Thus, photography, digital image production, and unique painting intertwine to create a multifaceted examination of works, where the theme of freedom is reflected as much as the feeling of being a stranger.
The title refers to a spiritual movement: being on the move between places, cultures, and perspectives. Especially in Cottbus, a city with a strong museum presence for modern and contemporary art, this dialogue gains additional resonance.
Pückler as a Historical Figure of Openness
Hermann von Pückler-Muskau remains a colorful figure in cultural history to this day. As a traveler, writer, and garden artist, he represents European expansiveness, aesthetic curiosity, and a gaze beyond borders. The exhibition does not use this figure as a monument but as a starting point for a contemporary inquiry: What does cosmopolitanism mean today? How can strangeness, belonging, and freedom be conceived in image?
Exhibition Atmosphere in the Diesel Power Plant
The Diesel Power Plant itself supports this aesthetic experience with industrial clarity and generous spatial effect. The house of BLMK is accessible, and the exhibition spaces are reachable via elevators. This creates an art experience that feels open both in content and space. The constellation of modern architecture, art education, and thematic depth lends a special focus to the visit.
A Well-Informed Visit with Added Value
BLMK, with its collection of over 45,000 works, ranks among the significant institutions for art from the GDR and subsequent artistic traditions. This authority also shapes the exhibition Strangers and Freedom: It stands in the context of museum research, contemporary curation, and cultural education. For art enthusiasts, this results in a visit that convincingly combines aesthetic experience, historical context, and current visual language.
Conclusion: Strangers and Freedom promises a dense, visually powerful exhibition visit between painting, photography, and cultural-historical thinking. Those who experience art as a space of knowledge should definitely attend this event live in Cottbus.
Official Channels of Mona Höke and Kathrin Karras:
- Instagram: no official profile found
- Facebook: no official profile found
- YouTube: no official profile found
- Website Mona Höke: no official profile found
- Website Kathrin Karras: https://www.karrasfotografie.de/
