The guest at the first episode in the new season is Renzo Martens. His pseudo-documentary films use strategies of performance and satire to pose fundamental questions about the way journalism and media function in terms of how we deal with the so-called “Third World.” His film, “Episode 3–Enjoy Poverty,” which was made in 2008 in the Democratic Republic of Congo, presents a sharp polemic against artistic projects with a humanitarian claim, which seek out social ills in crisis areas without sufficiently reflecting on who is actually profiting from them.
In the framework of “Phantasma und Politik,” the Dutch artist will give a presentation of the Institute for Human Activities, which was founded last year. The organisation, with offices in Kinshasa, Brussels, and Amsterdam, aims to illuminate the critical mandate of art in relation to its assumptions and complicities. The idea of the institute is to instigate a process of gentrification in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, which will be introduced by artistic training programmes. It is meant to support people in the area in their capacity to act for themselves and to participate in the global circulation of cultural and financial capital.
Following the presentation, Renzo Martens will engage in discussion with the art theorist Sabeth Buchmann and with Helmut Draxler.
Photo: Marcus Lieberenz
Gefördert aus Mitteln des Hauptstadtkulturfonds. Mit freundlicher Unterstützung durch die Botschaft des Königreichs der Niederlande. A House on Fire co-production; with the support of the Culture Programme of the European Union.
There are two marked parking spots in front of the building. Barrier-free restroom facilities are available. Four relaxed seats are available in the first row of HAU2. Tickets for wheelchair users and accompanying persons can also be booked via the ticketing system. If you need help, please contact our Ticketing & Service team at +49 (0)30 259004-27 or send us an email to
tickets@hebbel-am-ufer.de.
Latest information for arrival:
There is currently a construction site on Hallesches Ufer between Wilhelmstraße and Möckernbrücke underground station. There is a divided replacement route for pedestrians (right) and cyclists (left), which are separated by a yellow ground line. The carriageway is narrowed to one lane.
Travelling to HAU2 via U Hallesches Tor:
If you are coming from Hallesches Tor underground station, you will have to use an alternative footpath from Wilhelmstraße / Hallesches Ufer junction, which is separated from the carriageway by a construction fence – the actual footpath is currently closed. Please note: the alternative route is also used by cyclists. Pedestrians should keep to the right. We therefore currently recommend that visually impaired or blind visitors come to the HAU with an accompanying person.
Arrival HAU2 via U Möckernbrücke:
When you leave Möckernbrücke underground station, please stay on the footpath on the canal side until you reach Hallesches Ufer / Großbeerenstraße junction – the opposite side is currently closed due to construction work.