Usually the Emschergenossenschaft present their historical photographs of the Emscher river in the context of history, technology and information. Here they dare a presentation together with an artwork, which is a watercourse (in a non-literal sense) itself. Also for the Cologne based artist Claudia Schmacke and for the Kuenstlerhaus this project was worth an experiment.

We are glad that this unorthodox exhibition became reality, an exhibition where water is floating which can not only be seen but also be heard.

die magischen Kanaele means: the magic channels and refers to a book by Marshall Mc Luhan

Claudia Schmacke:
Since about 10 years I am working on several big installations which consist of (up to 4 kilometers long) transparent tubes. They are filled with an elaborate mixture of water and air bubbles and set into circulation by special pumps. The result is a show of movement within fix limits; an open metaphor for networks and connections which are produced by the surrounding space and the viewer's perspective. (...)
My interest in water as a material grew by its political value, which increased during the decade of glabalisation, and by its economical value, which is caused by the process of privatization. Water is essential for our life; so it should be accessable for everybody, clean and affordable. (...)

Historical photographs of the Emscher landscape

Emschergenossenschaft

>www.emschergenossenschaft.de