Exhibition "Touchdown. An exhibition with and about people with Down syndrome"

Exhibition

Touchdown.
An exhibition with and about people with Down syndrome

24.01. – 13.05.2018

Johanna von Schönfeld, Ohrenkuss-Ausgabe «Superkräfte» 2013
© Martin Langhorst

«Touchdown. An exhibition with and about people with Down syndrome» tells the story of a research expedition and, at the same time, relates the history of Down syndrome. Its mission – as the first of its kind – is an experimental expedition in search of the cultural history of both our past and present, looking for signs of people with Down syndrome in different countries. It informs us of how people with Down syndrome live in society today, how they lived in the past, and how they wish to live in the future. The exhibition, with its in-depth insights and dynamic variety of approaches, is not looking for ready answers but instead seeks to contribute, above all, to an ongoing debate on social diversity and inclusion.

The exhibition is divided up into seven sections and consists of over 100 scientific and art exhibits from the areas of archaeology, contemporary history, medicine, genetics, film, and the visual arts. It is mounting works by numerous artists with and without Down syndrome besides historical and scientific exhibits from archives, memorial sites, museums, and university research projects: Judith Scott, Eric Derkennen, Takashi Shuji, Pascal Tassini, Birgit Ziegert are among the many artists represented in the show, to name but a few. Works by Swiss artists with Down syndrome are augmenting the exhibition at the Zentrum Paul Klee, namely works by Pia Heim, Anne-Lise Jeanneret, and Viola Li.

People with and without Down syndrome collaborated to realize this exhibition. Also people with Down syndrome were consulted on the matter and their general situation. They are therefore not merely recipients of education, training, and support but instead play an active role in mediating knowledge to others. The common goal demanded extensive preparation and training for people with and without Down syndrome, who will be the guides for so called «tandem tours» of the exhibition. Additionally, on a weekly basis, experts in the field of human genetics will be explaining what chromosomes are, communicating their knowledge using a microscope and showing how trisomy 21 can be recognized using this device.

The exhibition will be accompanied by an extensive program featuring scientific and inclusive podiums and performances. Among other events, the editing team of Ohrenkuss is organizing a writers’ workshop on the topic of Switzerland for anyone with Down syndrome. Clown Syndrome, Eric Gadient’s and Olli Hauenstein’s out-of-the-ordinary comic theater, will be staging performances too. And the New Dance Academy will be presenting dance interpretations of works on show and of poems by Andreas Rubin, a Bernese writer with Down syndrome. A special highlight is the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Special Olympics, the largest international sport movement for people with intellectual disabilities. For the opening of the Touchdown exhibition there will be a lighting of a symbolic fire for equality, respect, and the acceptance of people with intellectual disabilities. The flame will be collected from the Zentrum Paul Klee for the Final Torch Run on May 13.

The Zentrum Paul Klee carries the «Kultur inklusiv» seal since 2016. Only those institutions have approval to carry this seal that have taken extensive measures to enable access and participation for disabled people. People with Down syndrome actively collaborated in the realization of the Touchdown exhibition, making it a particularly interesting project for the Zentrum Paul Klee, which, as a multidisciplinary venue, can use its potential as a center for cultural encounters to full advantage.

The exhibition is an enterprise of the Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn, in collaboration with the TOUCHDOWN 21 research project at the Zentrum Paul Klee, Bern.

Daniel Rauers. Ohrenkuss-Ausgabe «Superkräfte» 2013
© Martin Langhorst

www.zpk.org