HERE AND NOW at the Museum Ludwig

From February 7 to November 8, 2026, the Museum Ludwig is presenting the exhibition "De/Collecting Memories from Turtle Island" as part of its "HERE AND NOW" series. The exhibition is dedicated to the artistic exploration of the history and heritage of North America. The focus is on contemporary works by Marie Watt and Wendy Red Star as well as performances by jingle dress dancer Acosia Red Elk.

One focus of the exhibition is on the critical reflection of collecting practices and pictorial traditions. Historical photochromes from the early 20th century, which reproduce Western stereotypes, are juxtaposed with contemporary works by Indigenous artists that address personal and collective experiences.

The installation "Thirteen Moons" by Marie Watt plays a special role. This multi-layered work made of metal bells refers to indigenous lunar calendars and invites visitors to experience materiality and sound. Wendy Red Star's work humorously and directly confronts expectations of Indigenous identity and creates new perspectives on their history.

The visual level of the exhibition is complemented by the presence of Acosia Red Elk, whose jingle dress dances - a healing ritual from the tradition of her people - add a performative dimension to the exhibition.

"De/Collecting Memories from Turtle Island" questions both the museum's treatment of colonial history and the role of art in dealing with cultural memory. Visitors are invited to explore the diversity of these perspectives and grapple with the complexity of the narrative on display.