As creators of arts and culture in Germany we do not stand above things. Rather we have both feet firmly on the ground – the very ground upon which one of the worst state crimes against humanity was committed. This country has seen art vilified as degenerate and culture being abused for purpose of propaganda. Millions of people were murdered or driven into exile, amongst them many artists.
SHIELD & SHINE – Campaign call of the Many
More information about SHIELD & SHINEToday we see arts and culture as well as their venues, i.e. museums, theatres, galleries, clubs and urban places as open spaces belonging to many. We view our society as a plural gathering - an encounter of different interests that find each other in the spaces between. Democracy needs to be renegotiated daily – but always on the premise that it concerns us all, every single one of us, as beings of multiple possibilities!
By attacking cultural institutions as agents of this societal vision, right-wing populism stands in hostile opposition to the art of the many. Right-wing groups and parties frequently disrupt events, aim to determine repertoires, polemicise against the freedom of art and above all are working on the re-nationalisation of culture. Their disrespectful reaction to people seeking refuge, to dedicated artists and dissidents, clearly shows how they plan to deal with our society should a shift of power in their favour become reality.
We, the supporters of Berlin theatres, art galleries, museums and cultural spaces and their associates reject these attempts with a clear position:
Solidarity over privilege. It’s about all of us.
Freedom for the Arts!
More information at dievielen.de
DIE VIELEN e. V. is dedicated to working toward an open, solidary, diverse and democratic society. The association serves as a catalyst for over 4,500 allied institutions and activists in the fields of art and culture who collaborate as DIE VIELEN (THE MANY) with demonstrations, protests and artistic happenings, discuss current societal developments in regular meetings and work self-critically to change their structures.
Cultural institutions in Germany and Austria are connected with each other as signatories of regional declarations in the solidary network of DIE VIELEN. The declarations help the networked institutions to position themselves with regard to racist and discriminatory incidents and to send a strong, shared signal against hostilities toward intellectuals, artists, BIPOCs and LGBTQs. DIE VIELEN is also supported by individuals.
DIE VIELEN was founded in Berlin in 2017. The goal of DIE VIELEN is to strengthen artistic freedom and resolutely work against the increasing right-wing extremism in politics and society. The populist-nationalist right-wing extremists call for the unwieldy, diverse, complex as well as open nature of art to be placed in the service of a national context. DIE VIELEN react to this instrumentalist handling of art and culture, which is part of authoritarianism, both historically and at the present moment. The association accepts the challenge of recognizing the authoritarian efforts of the right-wing extremists to achieve cultural hegemony and answer decisively, calmly, cleverly, verbosely and together, with many voices: Art remains free! The goal of DIE VIELEN is not to use art and culture for other political purposes. Instead, DIE VIELEN is an open network with many members who are autonomous, a part of civil society.
The symbol of DIE VIELEN, a shiny emergency blanket, stands as a strong symbol for humanity and help for human beings in need and for the openness of offering shelter to human beings who need help. It is also the illusion of a splendid life for all. DIE VIELEN, as an association, use it as a shining, visible illusionary giant, as a shared real illusion for the good of society. DIE VIELEN lay the shining emergency blanket over all everyday activities, and where there was only network, workshop or discussion, it now shines and brings together. It is a matter of shaping our society constructively with everyone and this includes the understanding that we ourselves as individuals are MANY.