Artistic journey through Lusatia: Red coal and critical infrastructures!

Artistic journey through Lusatia: Red coal and critical infrastructures!

The examination of the past and the influence of industrial structures on art and society are the focus of a current exhibition in Ahlen. Under the title “Critical Infrastructures”, art students from the University of Potsdam present their artistic works, which they created as part of a seminar and excursions to brown coal regions in Lusatia, Turòw in Poland and the Czech Republic. The selection and opening of these works were led by Professor Andreas Brenne and lecturer Ruppe Koselleck. The exhibition is part of a project by the #ROTEKOHLE group, which consists of ten committed students.

For the students, the seminar, entitled “When brown coal writes red history,” was an opportunity to deal intensively with topics of contemporary and industrial history as well as changes in nature. The result is impressive charcoal drawings, photographs, images and installations that not only show artistic skills, but also reflect critical perspectives on a region that is heavily influenced by lignite.

Details about the exhibition

The exhibition in the Stadt-Galerie Ahlen, Königstraße 7, opened its doors on September 2nd, 2025 and can be visited on Fridays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. until further notice. Contact with the gallery was established by Ruppe Koselleck, which underlines the importance of the university in the regional cultural scene.

The group #ROTEKOHLE is made up of the creative talents Adrian Maier, Annabella Wegmann Florez, Anton Ruhl, Florian Schulz, Julia Hoppen, Karla Fritsche, Kimia Müller, Marlene Behnert, Meike Wichmann, Myrijam Stoetzer and Oliver Schmidt. With these works, the group sets an important artistic accent that raises relevant social questions and encourages viewers to think.

Expanding the context

The special exhibition “Typically Lausitz” in the Museum of the Oberspreewald-Lausitz district in Senftenberg, which opened on July 15, 2025, offers another artistic reference to the region. This exhibition celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Lausitz Art Collection and documents the structural change in Lausitz over four decades. With 70 selected works, including drawings, graphics and sculptures, it also presents works by artists who were born or live in this region.

The museum's spokeswoman, Jenny Linke, emphasizes the diversity and importance of this art historical presentation. Examples such as the sculpture “Lost Places” by Michael Kruscha, which depicts a coal mine and village buildings, or the dance motif in Harald Metzkes’ “Summer Garden Festival”, reflect artistic reflection on the effects of industrial history.

This dynamic development in the Lusatian art scene shows how closely art and social changes are linked. Both the exhibition in Ahlen and the one in the museum in Senftenberg not only promote awareness of the region's history, but also contribute to the discussion about the future of critical infrastructures in a changing social context.

For more details about the events, visit the website University of Potsdam, des RBB and the Oberspreewald-Lausitz Museum.