Group Exhibition at the Kunsthalle Görlitz, Granite & Gravity (working title) explores connections between the deep bedrock beneath the Germany-Czech Republic-Poland border triangle and the universe – between below and above. In the future, gravitational waves – tiny distortions of spacetime that can be detected using highly sensitive detectors and provide insights into the most distant events in the cosmos – are to be measured within the region’s massive granite massif.
The exceptional geological stability and seismic tranquility of the Lusatian granite create ideal conditions for this. Between the rock beneath our feet and the most distant regions of the universe, a fascinating space for artistic exploration opens up.
Starting Point
One starting point for the exhibition is a profound transformation taking place in the region. As part of the structural change following the phase-out of lignite mining, the German Center for
Astrophysics (Deutsches Zentrum für Asrtophysic – DZA) is being established in Lusatia. New research infrastructures for astrophysics are being developed here, including the Low Seismic
Lab, which is to be built approximately 200 meters deep within the Lusatian granite massif. The rock’s exceptional seismic stillness creates ideal conditions for high-precision measurements
and the development of the next generation of gravitational wave detectors. At the Görlitz Research Campus, astronomical observational data will be analyzed, simulations developed,
and methods of high-performance computing and artificial intelligence applied. The focus is on questions regarding the origin and evolution of the universe, the measurement of gravitational waves, and the analysis and interpretation of complex astronomical data.
At the same time, scientific developments in the region open up new perspectives that can be explored artistically in a variety of ways. The focus here is not solely on astrophysical phenomena, but also on questions regarding the relationship between landscape and the
universe, between geological depth and cosmic distance, between materiality and data, and between technical measurement and human perception. Likewise, ideas about the origin of the
world, time and the future, visibility and invisibility, scientific and social transformations, or pop- cultural, philosophical, and science-fiction narratives about Earth and the cosmos can serve as
starting points for artistic works.
The group exhibition brings together distinct artistic positions, thereby opening up diverse perspectives on the exhibition’s theme.
Participation
The open call is open to professional artists working in all disciplines of contemporary art who live or work primarily in Germany, Poland, or the Czech Republic. Individual artists and collectives are equally welcome.
We are seeking artistic projects in all media – including drawing, photography, sculpture, installation, video, sound, performance, painting, as well as cross-media and experimental formats. The decisive factors are artistic quality and relevance to the exhibition’s thematic framework.
We welcome existing works, concepts for new works to be created in time for the exhibition, as well as site-specific projects developed in Görlitz and/or in collaboration with the German Center for Astrophysics (DZA)
We are happy to assist artists who wish to incorporate the DZA’s scientific context more deeply into their work by connecting them with researchers. Depending on the project, we can facilitate access to insights into research processes, discussions with scientists, and selected materials and datasets—such as seismic measurements, sound recordings, or visualizations.
The scope and form of the collaboration will be determined on a case-by-case basis based on the respective artistic questions and the DZA’s capabilities. Collaboration with the DZA is expressly an offer and not a prerequisite for applying.
General Conditions
The selection of artistic contributions and the curatorial organization of the group exhibition will be carried out by the team at the Kunsthalle Görlitz.
As a volunteer-run association, we would like to note that approval of the requested project grant is currently pending. If the grant is approved, each selected artistic contribution will receive:
€800 artist’s fee
A travel allowance of up to €80
A flat-rate accommodation allowance of up to 200 €
Transportation costs for artworks, subject to prior agreement
The benefits listed are subject to the approval of the requested project funding.
The selected works will be presented as part of the exhibition at the Kunsthalle Görlitz.
The artists grant the Kunsthalle Görlitz the non-exclusive right to use submitted image and text materials, as well as documentation of the exhibited works, for press and public relations activities related to the project. Copyrights remain unaffected by this. The transport, delivery,
and pickup of the works will be coordinated closely between the artists and the Kunsthalle Görlitz.
The Kunsthalle Görlitz does not operate as a sales gallery. If there is interest in purchasing a work, we are happy to facilitate contact between prospective buyers and the respective artists.
application
Please submit your application by August 20, 2026, with the subject line “Granit & Gravitation” to: opencall@ncca.eu
more info: https://kunsthalle-goerlitz.de/ or
https://kunsthalle-goerlitz.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/OPEN-CALL-%E2%80%93-Granit-Gravitation-EN.pdf
