بین الأضواء / IN BETWEEN LIGHTS

photo © Jennifer Braun

Installation in public space, 2 street lanterns, Cologne and Tunis, DE/TN, 2018
Photo and video documentation of the processes in both countries

The art installation IN BETWEEN LIGHTS is a precise, focused intervention in public space, exchanging two street lanterns between the twin cities Cologne and Tunis – continents apart.

Street lanterns Tunis (left) & Cologne (right)

By exchanging a Tunis street light with a Cologne street light, IN BETWEEN LIGHTS creates a visible connection link between them, highlighting 65 years of inter-continental partnership between the twin cities in Tunisia and Germany, Northern Africa and Europe.

The street lights travel across the sea in opposite directions, creating a link between two invisible spaces.

The complex process of realization – involving exchange between the cities’ administrations, art institutions, logistic companies, harbours, nautical companies, truck companies as well as local city workers in Tunis and Cologne – is inherent part of the concept.

Exchanging two lanterns from two continents, each with unique cultural, historical and political background, connects the cities in a visible way, also bringing their original context to the new location. Themes of colonialism and migration are touched. The exchange of two street lights highlights aspects of the complex global connection of spaces, places and their interwoven past, present and future.

Pre-existing spatial and infrastructural conditions are consciously utilised instead of claiming new space to avoid mimicking strategies of colonization.

Tunislantern at Hahnentor, Cologne, DE and Cologne lantern at Bab Bhar, Tunis, TN

Both street light types contrast with their new surroundings, irritating the public space. Each relocated street light establishes a unique relation and connection with the other lanterns. It weaves a subtle field of tension among them, changing the dynamic of place – in Tunis and in Cologne – while persistently fulfilling their purpose.

IN BETWEEN LIGHTS is realised in cooperation with Collumina light art festival Cologne and Interference light art festival Tunis via Academy of Media Arts Cologne, Urban Stage ff – Mischa Kuball.

Opening

16th of May 2018, 8:30 PM, Hahnentorburg, Rudolfplatz, Cologne, DE
6th of September 2018, 6:00 PM, Bab Bhar, Place de la Victoire, Tunis, TN

1600 km linear distance between the sister cities Tunis and Cologne - NASA night view, 2016 — 1600 km linear distance between the sister cities Tunis and Cologne – NASA night view, 2016

Special Thanks

Henriette Reker, Seifallah Lasram, Prof. Mischa Kuball, Dr. Ralf Seippel, Bettina Pelz, Aymen Gharbi, Johannes Geyer, Lydia Klütsch, Souad Sassi, Claudia Bleier, Jürgen & Petra Paulus, Regina Barunke, Michael Kitzel, Mejd Ben Salem, Ilyès Zarrouk, Ferdaous Kabteni, Atfa Mihoub, Walid Ben Nasr, Montasser Naghmouchi, Olfa, Kais Jendoubi, Abir Akriche-Jendoubi, Sarah Academy of Media Arts Cologne Sadek, Ahmed al Muniwari, Lena Al-Odeh, Karin Michalski, Nana, Frankie, Dalia, Dali, Karem, Gerald Neffen, Christian Klug, Markus Lambert, Meujüt und Michael, Heike Junggeburth, Ingrid Klenner