Ways of Hope

In a world where uncertainty and crisis seem ever-present, we find ourselves questioning the very fabric of our existence. Yet, even in these challenging times, there remains a powerful force that transcends the chaos: hope. This exhibition, Ways of Hope, takes its inspiration from the Holy Year, or Anno Santo, established by Pope Francis in Rome. A year dedicated to the themes of mercy, renewal, and the power of human resilience. It explores the interplay between human resilience, creativity, and optimism, offering a space where art becomes a vehicle for transformation and possibility.

Reflecting the overarching theme of the Biennale 2025, Intellectual, Natural, Artificial, Collective, this exhibition brings together the works of eleven distinct artists from all different part of the world whose visions offer unique interpretations of hope’s enduring power. Additionally, it resonates with the spirit of the upcoming 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale, which focuses on the concept of a new dynamic approach encouraging a future built on sustainability, human connections, and collective creativity – principles closely tied to the transformative power of hope.

Heinz Gappmayr invites us to explore the philosophical notion of existence through his pieces nothing something and time. His work challenges us to think beyond the limits of the present, to have imaginations which go further than pure perceptions and suggesting that even in Nothingness, there is Something, there is potential. In the endless flow of time, there is always room for reinvention, growth, and, ultimately, Hope.

Mario Reis, through his delicate Roses, embodies the natural world’s power to heal and restore. His intricate works evoke the fragility and resilience of nature, showing that even amidst the worst times, nature offers a constant reminder of renewal and the quiet yet profound strength of life.

Lore Bert, with her works Star and Hope, explores the artificial realm, where hope becomes a constructed ideal, a shining beacon amidst the noise. Her pieces bridge the material and metaphysical, suggesting that hope, like art, can be both a product of human creation and a transformative force.

Liebl & Schmid-Pfähler’s Mini-Makrocontrollers present a collective vision of hope, shaped by the interplay of human ingenuity and technology. Their work invites us to consider how collaboration, both at the individual and societal level, can create a shared future grounded in hope. Moreover, it highlights the crucial role of technology in enhancing our position in the world, offering innovative solutions to global challenges and fostering new possibilities for a more sustainable and equitable future. By embracing technology, we have the potential to reshape our environment and society, ensuring that hope becomes not only a concept but a tangible, transformative force for positive change.

Günther Uecker, a member of the ZERO group and the world- famous nail artist who will celebrate his 95th birthday this year once said: »Art cannot save people, but with the means of art, a dialogue is possible that calls for action that preserves people.« He took part in the Documenta in Kassel for the first time in 1964 and represented Germany at the Venice Art Biennale in 1970.

Fabrizio Plessi, the Italian Venetian by choice and pioneer of video art, has created the touching video sculpture Mosaico Veneziano which is inspired by the gold mosaics of San Marco. In this evocative work, tradition and technology converge to celebrate the timeless beauty of Venice. A digital screen becomes a modern canvas, reflecting the shimmering image of a Venetian mosaic gently animated by the movement of water. The piece captures the essence of a city suspended between past and future, where ancient artistic heritage meets contemporary media. As the mosaic undulates with the fluid rhythm of waves, Plessi invites us to contemplate memory, transformation, and the fragile equilibrium of cultural identity in a changing world.

Among the younger voices in this exhibition, HUMAN by Sebastian Dannenberg stands out as a text-based work whose clarity leaves little doubt: rarely has an awareness of human dignity been expressed more concretely. In a time marked by war and uncertainty, Dannenberg presents HUMAN, an aluminium sculpture that becomes a quiet but powerful symbol of human dignity, strength, and vulnerability. With its simple strong form, the work invites us to reflect on what it means to be human, and on the values that connect us all. His inclusive work also emphasizes the diversity and multifaceted nature of humanity and the equality of all. Dannenberg was a participant in the very first “Experiments Project” (2015) at CADORO in Mainz, which brought together young artists and art historians – all still students at that time. Since 2013, the artist has held various teaching positions in addition to his still active artistic work with more than 100 exhibitions so far.

In these times of turbulence, Ways of Hope demonstrates how artists, through Intellectual, Natural, Artificial, and Collective ways of seeing, can create new pathways forward. Through their work, we are reminded that hope is not passive; it is an active, transformative force that calls us to invent, create, and move forward together.