Verbindungen: Ausstellung, Musik, Tanz & Zauberei

In the organizer's words:

As part of the exhibition "Connections" by Gruppe Neun e.V. from Overath, there is an exciting supporting program: Alexandra Felder on electric piano plays pieces by Lilli Boulanger and others, Michael Horn performs magic and Isabelle Casel gives a short dance performance!

REZENSION
"Connections": Exhibition about the visible and invisible
By Leo Eschweiler, February 3, 2025

What does it mean to be connected? This question is posed in the exhibition "Connections - Part 2" by GRUPPE NEUN e.V., which opened on February 2, 2025 at the Kunstmeile Köln-Buchforst. In a world that is changing rapidly, in which old relationships are breaking down and new ones are emerging, the show is artistically dedicated to the visible and invisible interconnections of our lives.

A space for encounters
The six artists - Leslie Wist, Aleksandra Vujovic, Isabelle Casel, Anatoli Karamyschew, Christoph Felder and Rolf Stolz - deal with the most diverse forms of connections in their works: between people, materials, ideas and emotions. The works on display are as diverse as their possible interpretations.
The curatorial design of the exhibition itself emphasizes the theme. The arrangement of the works in the space allows them to enter into a subtle dialog with each other. Sometimes they contrast with each other, sometimes they reinforce each other - a visual echo that runs through the entire exhibition.

Between chaos and order
Accidental entanglements, as impressively shown in Rolf Stolz's photographs, tell of concrete encounters and coincidences that determine our lives. This contrasts with the works of Aleksandra Vujovic, who uses color and form to search for abstract connections. Her works create structures that dissolve and re-form - a symbol of the dynamics of human relationships. The scope for interpretation remains wide open here, which enriches the exhibition with an abstract component. The paintings by Anatoli Karamyshev, which mainly show atmospheric landscapes, are also worth seeing.

Surprises
The vernissage itself was an experience for the senses. In addition to the background music by pianist Alexandra Felder, who created an atmospheric depth with a piece by Lili Boulanger and her own compositions, magician Michael Horn provided magical moments. His illusions played with the exhibition theme in a fascinating way: connections that emerge and seem to dissolve, realities that are called into question.
This performative level lent the event an additional dimension. While the artworks were visually thought-provoking, Horn showed that what we do not see - the fleeting, the inexplicable - is also part of our reality. The vernissage was therefore not just the prelude to a classic art exhibition, but a multi-layered experience that appealed to the intellect and emotions in equal measure.

Conclusion: A worthwhile journey of discovery
"Connections" is a continuation of the previous exhibition of the same name by Leslie Wist and Christoph Felder and is an exhibition that explores a socially important topic in a variety of ways. It manages to bring together different artistic positions without forcing them into a rigid interpretation. The works leave room for your own thoughts and invite you to reflect on the connections that shape our own lives.

The combination of different art forms at the vernissage was particularly successful - music, magic and visual art complemented each other in an organic way and allowed visitors to experience the theme on different levels. The program with Alexandra Felder and Michael Horn will be shown again on 9 February from 4 p.m., and a short dance performance with Isabelle Casel is also planned.

The exhibition can be seen until 23 February 2025 on Sundays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Kunstmeile Köln-Buchforst. It is well worth a visit - not just for art lovers, but for anyone who wants to embark on a sensory and intellectual journey.