What We Can Only See Together

With her exhibition Whispers, the artist Melike Kara transforms the Kunsthaus Hamburg into a gard en. Water flows from the walls and collects in basins. In some of them, plants are growing. Photographs and paintings are submerged within. A frieze of coffee grounds covers the walls. The scent of coffee wafts through the hall and the soft splashing of water can be heard. In this setting, Melike Kara invites us to simply observe and focus our attention on the little things.

Drawing on her Kurdish heritage, Melike Kara’s installation explores identity, memory and the constant process of change. Her work examines what connects people. She is interested in what happens when the stories we tell ourselves about our origins recede into the background.

During the workshop, the children explore the details of the exhibition together with art educator Tessa Hinz and set out to uncover clues: what stories are hidden in the images and materials? What can photographs, coffee, water and plants tell us? They discuss what memories mean to them and which stories are important to them. Through dialogue, reflections on belonging and personal identity are sparked in a playful and child-friendly way.

Alternating between a discovery, group discussions and practical artistic exercises, the workshop combines shared exploration, critical reflection and creative experimentation. The children are introduced to various artistic approaches, sharpen their sensitivity to materials, shapes and small details, and discover how their own works of art can emerge from observations, thoughts and memories. The workshop fosters critical thinking and individual artistic expression, whilst placing a particular emphasis on the power of community and collaboration. Personal experiences, memories and visions of the future can be incorporated into creative works and brought to life.