Silvina Der-Meguerditchian’s exhibition “Those who take care of us” at Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien in Berlin explores the unifying power of music while also highlighting the cultural prejudices that exist within the world of music-making. Curated by Barbara Höffer and Lusin Reinsch, the exhibition features videos, archival documents, photographs, and multimedia installations, with a qanun, a traditional stringed instrument from Armenia and other regions, taking center stage in the first section titled “Resonance.”
In her films, Der-Meguerditchian challenges the rigid musical hierarchies by telling stories where fish, trees, and ghosts are reincarnated as qanuns. Through these narratives, she showcases how music transcends boundaries and acts as a tool for building and preserving collective memory. The exhibition also delves into the theme of diasporic migration, using the qanun as a metaphor for a state of awareness that connects memory and care.
As visitors progress through the exhibition, they encounter personal and archival photographs, passports, and other objects suspended from the ceiling, creating a mosaic of memories from locations like Aleppo, Istanbul, and Berlin. The exhibition culminates in a section where the human body becomes the carrier of memory, with Der-Meguerditchian using braids made from wool and depicting women’s bodies in a series of sculptural objects on the walls.
In the short film “Care to Care,” young women are seen brushing each other’s hair in a rhythmic and musical manner, underscoring the artist’s focus on the human body as a language of preservation and care. The exhibition invites visitors to reflect on the expressive power of music and the human body in conveying emotions and memories.
“Those who take care of us” is a thought-provoking exhibition that challenges traditional notions of music-making and showcases the interconnectedness of music, memory, and care. It is on display at Kunstraum Kreuzberg/Bethanien until April 6 and is curated by Barbara Höffer and Lusin Reinsch.
