13.-15.3.WKV Stuttgart ‘On the Critique of Freedom and its Repression in Liberal Democracies’
In light of recent events, the ADKV would like to draw attention to the planned symposium of the Württembergischer Kunstverein Stuttgart.
The Württembergischer Kunstverein has been nominated for the ADKV Art Cologne Prize for Art Associations many times in recent decades – not least because of its outstanding conferences on current social debates.
Against the backdrop of the controversy surrounding the last-minute withdrawal of funding for the symposium, we would like to take this opportunity to provide more information about the concept and programme. Thanks to a solidarity fundraising campaign, the financing was secured within just two days.
The ADKV firmly opposes all forms of group-focused enmity and discrimination. This naturally includes racism and anti-Semitism. In the latter case in particular, we believe that an open and nuanced debate on definitions and attributions is necessary and worthy of support.
Most recently, the importance of freedom of expression and artistic freedom was emphatically emphasised by numerous artists, cultural figures and leading newspapers in the controversy surrounding the Berlinale.
‘On the Critique of Freedom and its Repression in Liberal Democracies’
SYMPOSIUM
13–15 March 2026
with
Lily Abichahine, Emily Dische-Becker, Katja Diefenbach, Denise Ferreira da Silva (zoom), Hanno Hauenstein, Sami Khatib, Henrike Kohpeiß, Ralf Michaels, Hannah Tzuberi, René Wildangel and others
Language: English
Registration: volk [at] wkv-stuttgart.de">volk [at] wkv-stuttgart.de
This s symposium was prompted by growing concerns about the freedom, independence, and free spaces of art, science, and society in Germany and other liberal democracies.
We aim to discuss the contexts and implications of these restrictions and possible ways of dealing with them on a transdisciplinary level: that is, within and between the discourses of philosophy, political science, law, and cultural studies—and beyond.
Modern, supposedly European concepts of freedom and autonomy emerged with the Enlightenment, whose not only emancipatory but also sexist, racist, classist, and colonial structures have been the subject of recent transdisciplinary research and theory. Freedom and independence are not fixed social conditions but ones that must be constantly contested. This contestation must be open.
Further information can be found in the PDF
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and on the Württembergischer Kunstverein's website, which is constantly updated.
PROGRAM
A detailed program will be published shortly.
Friday, March 13, 2026
6:30 p.m. – 9 p.m.
INPUTS + PANEL
On the Critique of Freedom
Katja Diefenbach, Denise Ferreira da Silva (zoom)
Saturday, Matrch 14, 2026
10:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
INPUTS + PANELS
On freedom, autonomy, and political influence from the perspectives of philosophy, law, racism research, anti-Semitism research, Middle East studies, art and cultural studies
Lily Abichahine, Emily Dische-Becker, Hanno Hauenstein, Sami Khatib, Henrike Kohpeiß, Ralf Michaels, Hannah Tzuberi, René Wildangel
Sunday, March 15, 2026
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
PLENARY / OPEN DEBATE
1 - 2 p.m.
EXHIBITION TOUR
On the exhibition Private Handbags May Not be Carried When on Duty about female Nazi perpetrators.
With Dominique Hurth
An event organized by
Württembergischer Kunstverein Stuttgart
Curated by
Iris Dressler, Hans D. Christ
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