45cbm: René Stessl

"Make Egoism Great Again!" This guiding principle could stand for those nationalist tendencies worldwide that force politicians to trade tariffs against other countries or enforce border controls for their own protection. But do you really need more selfishness these days?

The exhibition by the Austrian artist René Stessl (*1974) invites you to explore this complex topic. Two tables, two chairs and a plant make up the interior of The Restaurant of Egoists in the studio room 45cbm. Food and drinks of the Café Kunsthalle can be ordered and consumed in the installation itself. In doing so, the guest sits down to meet himself. The principle of a relational aesthetic in the sense of Nicolas Bourriaud, who understands works of art as social environments, in which experiences are shared, is humorously counteracted by Stessl.

Welcome speech: Johan Holten, Director of Staatliche Kunsthalle Baden-Baden

Introduction: Hendrik Bündge, Curator of the exhibition