Exhibition
Cleaning Against the Dictatorship of Efficiency
7 Jan 2021 – 22 Jan 2021
Regular hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 10:00 – 18:00
- Wednesday
- 10:00 – 18:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 – 18:00
- Friday
- 10:00 – 18:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 – 18:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 – 18:00
Address
- Fromet-und-Moses-Mendelssohn-Platz 7–8
- Berlin
Berlin - 10969
- Germany
The exhibition examines the significance of cleaning for the individual and within society. The design duo explores the question of how mindfulness, humanity and resource-conserving environmental awareness can be embodied or learned in cleaning.
About
Showcase exhibition: Cleaning Against the Dictatorship of Efficiency
Date: 07.–22.01.2021, all day
Purification rituals and traditional handmade cleaning tools are strongly rooted in Japanese culture. Through cleaning, we express our respect and appreciation towards ourselves, others and our immediate environment. Cleaning changes our consciousness and perception. It promotes self-reliance, helpfulness and consideration. We also learn to relate our actions to their cause and effect.
The exhibition Cleaning Against the Dictatorship of Efficiency by studio b severin examines the significance of cleaning for the individual and within society. The design duo explores the question of how mindfulness, humanity and resource-conserving environmental awareness can be embodied or learned in cleaning. The change of perspective on the everyday practice of cleaning is not about achieving perfect cleanliness. One goal is to develop regularity in the form of a daily morning routine.
Birgit Severin and Guillaume Neu-Rinaudo from studio b severin were designers in residence at feldfünf in spring 2020. The exhibition presents excerpts of their research in video and audio works, objects, photographs and gives an insight into their book, which is currently being written on the topic
On 9 January at 11 a.m., the designers will give an online tour of the exhibition and talk to the Japanese monk Shoukei Matsumoto, author of the book A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind. Two weeks later, on 23 January, a neighbourhood New Year's cleaning event will take place at 11 a.m. on Fromet-und-Moses-Mendelssohn-Platz.
Birgit Severin gave an interview for Deutschlandfunk Kultur, Fazit on 06.01.2021. Are you still cleaning or are you already living? About cleaning as a mindfulness exercise can be found in the Audiothek.
The exhibition was realised with the kind support of the Goethe-Institut Villa Kamogawa.