Forms of (ex-)Change
16 May 2024 - 5 October 2024
Visit Forms of (ex-)Change, where graphic designers from the Netherlands and Germany engage with the idea of change in the broadest sense of the word. The exhibition, which was originally developed on the occasion of the Leipzig Book Fair 2024, is a collaboration between the Nieuwe Instituut and the Dutch graphic design programme at Werkplaats Typografie, the independent Leipzig bookshop MZIN, and the System Design class at the Academy of Fine Arts (HGB) in Leipzig.
Forms of (ex-)Change
Curated by Maureen Mooren, head of design at the Nieuwe Instituut and professor at the HGB, and Armand Mevis, graphic designer and head of Werkplaats Typografie, Forms of (ex-)Change invites graphic designers to explore change in relation to themes of personal importance. While the exhibition is about exchange, it is also the result of exchange – between disciplines and practices, and of knowledge and culture.
The creation of a graphic message is never a neutral exchange between sender and receiver, as the receiver’s interpretation, bias and personal background all come into play. It is also about inclusion and exclusion, cultural understanding and access. And since the audience has to interpret the work, there is always the risk that the makers’ message will be misunderstood. In Forms of (ex-)Change, the temporary collective of professional and student designers create a multi-layered image of exchange and change – the (ex-)change of their practice.
Forms of (ex-)Change shows the work of Alexey Malygin, Anja Groten, Camille Caspersen, Christiane Biniek, Ehab Assadi, Elias Erkan, Emil Feinweber, Emilia Sladek, Farida Sedoc, Gabriel Wintergerst, Hannes Drissner, Jinhye Lee, Johanna Nethe, John Babenschneider, Jonathan Castro Alejos, Kathi Siebenhandl, Lam Funke, Leitu Bonnici, Lion Mayer, Lisa Lagova, Lydienne Albertoe, Matas Buckus, Merle Petsch, Meta Weckeßer, Jizz Taco (Michiel Terpelle), Milad Shahmoradi, Nuno Beijinho, Ossama Morad, Paul Nilling, Rami Hariri, Rietlanden Womens office, Rita Palha Lopes, Ruben Pater, Sarah Halbgewachs, Sohyeon Lee, Sören Sandbothe, Tato Greve, Theetat Thunkijanukij, Ward Goes, Wouter Stroet, XiaoHan Zhang, Yang Yaqi, Yinuo Xuanyuan, and Yola Brormann.
Contribution to the Leipzig Book Fair 2024
Forms of (ex-)Change was originally intended to be shown as part of the Leipzig Book Fair’s satellite programme. However, due to the political climate in Germany, it could not take place in Leipzig and is therefore now on show in Rotterdam. The project is supported by the Dutch Embassy and the Representation of Flanders in the Belgian Embassy in Berlin.
Programme and location
The exhibition opens on Friday 16 May at 17:00 at the Nieuwe Instituut. It is on show until 6 October.