Dresden, 2025-06-19 14:45:00
A new exhibition in Dresden explores the fight for freedom in Eastern Europe, showcasing art and stories from the 1970s and 80s.
- The exhibition focuses on freedom struggles in the Eastern Bloc.
- it features art and stories from Czechoslovakia, Poland, and the GDR.
- The show includes works by artists like Josef Capek and Wolfgang Mattheuer.
the latest exhibition at the Dresden Hygiene Museum, “Freedom. An unfinished story,” dives into the heart of the fight for liberation. The show begins with a look at Václav Havel,the Czech author,and the impact of charter 77 in socialist countries. This exhibition explores these pivotal moments of change.
Dissidenten unter Sich: Petr Uhl, Anna Šabatková und Václav Havel in der Wohnung des photography Bohdan Holomíček Bohdan Holomíček (* 1943), 1984, photographs
Quelle: Bogusław Nieznałski (1948-2014), 1980, photographs, © Bogusław Nieznalski / Sammlung Europäisches Solidarność-Zentrum
The exhibition also highlights the Gdansk shipyard workers’ 21 demands, which aimed to transform Poland. The display examines aspects of the SED-OBRITY in the GDR, offering a comprehensive look at the fight for freedom.
Charter 77, largely created in Prague‘s Palais salm, gained notoriety after the government’s clumsy response. The communist government’s reaction backfired, and the Charter gained prominence through the Anticharta.
We believe that Charter 77 will help to ensure that all Czechoslovakia citizens can work and live as free people.
Final sentence of the Charter 77
The exhibition, created in collaboration with museums in Breslau, Prague, and the Solidarnosc Center in danzig, explores a time when freedom was considered an ideal. Museum chief Iris Edenheiser noted the paradox of restrictions being enforced in the name of freedom today.
Three Countries, Six Chapters
The show is divided into six chapters, illustrating the craft of liberation across three countries. It also features art from the 18th to the 20th century, a unique element for the hygiene museum. Included is Josef Capek’s work from the “Longing” series, cubist figures painted in 1938 after the Munich Agreement. Capek was arrested in 1939 and died in Bergen-Belsen in April 1945, just three days before the camp’s liberation.
“The neighbor who wants to fly” Wolfgang Mattheuer (1927-2004),1984,oil on canvas,Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary art,Budapest Photo: József Rosta / Ludwig Museum – Museum of Contemporary Art / © VG Bildkunst
Quelle: Photo: Joseph Rosta / Ludwig Museum
Wolfgang Mattheuer’s artwork illustrates the conditions in the GDR. “The neighbor who wants to fly” depicts the desire for escape. In 1984, when the painting was created, the agony in the country was already very pronounced. Another Mattheuer piece, “behind the 7×7 mountains”, revisits his 1973 work, this time with freedom allegories.
A Lot of artistic
The exhibition also explores various forms of protest. It showcases artistic expressions, like student happenings in Olomütz. Gabriele Stötzer’s work is also featured, highlighting her struggle against censorship in the GDR. In Erfurt, she encouraged public dancing, a personal expression of freedom that the GDR couldn’t suppress.
The exhibition features archival photos, including images of exiles. The show includes interviews and art, such as Artur Zmijewski’s videos about everyday life.
Photos of a GDR Refugee
Alfred Kleistner’s photos from the Baltic Sea are a striking part of the exhibition. On July 25, 1976, he swam to the West German island of Fehmarn in 24 hours, covering 50 kilometers. Kleistner worked for a navigation device company in Lübeck,eventually buying the company in 1987,but it went bankrupt in the mid-1990s.In 1999, Kleistner died by suicide near the spot where he fled. Two days before his escape, he wrote, “To exchange a life for time, July 23, 76”.
The exhibition is open until May 31, 2026, daily (except Mondays) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It features an extensive accompanying program.
More details at: dhmd.de
The exhibition delves deeper into the artistic expressions of the era, and also the human spirit’s yearning for liberation. “freedom. An unfinished story” vividly portrays the sacrifices made in the fight for liberty across Eastern Europe. Beyond the visual art,the show presents an assortment of personal narratives that underscore the everyday realities of life under oppressive regimes. These stories echo the larger fight, humanizing the struggle through individual acts of defiance and resilience.
Beyond the Canvas: Voices of Resistance
Beyond the artwork of Wolfgang Mattheuer, the exhibit expands its focus to various forms of protest. It highlights the work of other artists and activists. The experiences of artists like Gabriele Stötzer,who battled censorship in communist East Germany,are central to the exhibition.Her actions, such as encouraging public dance, are displayed as symbolic rejections of government overreach. The goal is to demonstrate how ordinary citizens, through acts of personal expression, could challenge the regime.
Student Happenings and Underground Culture
The show examines student-led happenings, showcasing a vibrant, though often suppressed, underground culture. These displays of artistic protest offered a vital outlet for creative expression. They often existed in opposition to rigid societal norms. These included unconventional performance pieces that became a way of subtly mocking authority. This section of the exhibition shows how art became a tool for expressing the desire for change, connecting to the core concept of liberation.
Artistic Freedom and Individual Expression
The exhibition also addresses the themes of artistic integrity. Various artists, in their unique ways, found methods to circumvent censorship practices. These actions allowed freedom of expression to flourish. By doing so, they created safe spaces where free speech could truly exist. This helps to showcase the artists as a powerful cultural force who challenged the constraints in place.
Photographic Memories: Capturing the Eastern European Experience
The exhibition also prominently features archival photos that give context to the Eastern European experience. the exhibition includes interviews and artworks, such as artur Zmijewski’s videos about everyday life. This section of the exhibition features images documenting the experiences of exiles, giving a glimpse into everyday life.
Alfred kleistner: A Story of Flight
Alfred Kleistner’s photographic documentation of his swim to freedom stands as one of the exhibition’s more impactful parts. He embodies the lengths people went to for self-determination. Examining his journey further illustrates the desperation that fueled the desire for liberation. Kleistner’s story, ending in tragedy, emphasizes the high personal cost of seeking a better life. His actions offer critical insight into the challenges and sacrifices of the period.
Exhibition Details and Accompanying programs
The “Freedom. An unfinished story” exhibition remains open until the end of May 2026, excluding Mondays. Consider visiting Dresden’s Hygiene Museum between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to experience it. It has an extensive program of events, intended to deepen public engagement with the themes. For further details about the show and its programming, visit the event’s official website.
Practical Data
- Location: Dresden Hygiene Museum, Dresden, Germany
- Dates: Through May 31, 2026 (excluding Mondays)
- Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. daily
- Website: dhmd.de for more information
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of art is featured in the exhibition?
A: the exhibition includes a range of artistic expressions, including paintings by Wolfgang Mattheuer, photography, and video installations that illustrate the era’s political and social climate.
Q: How does the exhibition address the theme of freedom?
A: The exhibition explores freedom through the lens of resistance, personal expression, and the yearning for escape. It includes the events of the Gdansk shipyard workers’ 21 demands, the impact of Charter 77, and the experiences of exiles.
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