Under Gera: Hohler Biennale 2025 shows art in damp catacombs!

Under Gera: Hohler Biennale 2025 shows art in damp catacombs!

Things are going well again in Gera, underground! The 12th Hohler Biennale has begun, and the city's former beer cellars shine in new artistic splendor. Under the exhibition theme “entertainment”, a total of 25 artists will show their works in the fascinating rooms that once served as air raid shelters and look back on a history dating back to the 17th century. Project manager Gitta Heil is proud that both established and young talents are able to present their art here. In many cases, this is the first opportunity for those involved to show themselves as part of a biennale.

Klaus Staeck, the honorary president of the Berlin Academy of Arts and an institution in the art scene at the proud age of 87, presents his posters, which, despite the high humidity in the caves, do not have original status. An example of his work makes this clear: it shows a globe with the note “The rental property must be treated with care and returned in good condition.”
The Biennale will end on October 17th and takes place every two years, a real highlight in the city's cultural calendar.

Art and crises

The event concept behind the Biennale also takes a look at the current crises that are shaping our society. Climate change, conflicts and social divisions are addressed. Particularly impressive are the works of Michael Ernst, who presents sculptures of Noah's Ark, and Cosima Göpfert with her porcelain rolls, which are interpreted as a “land of milk and honey”. In addition, Yvonne Goulbier and Philipp Geist set exciting accents with light art - all of this in a context that is influenced by the high humidity in the caves, which is why special materials have to be used, such as glass, metal and ceramics.
In total, the 220 caves, which stretch over a length of nine kilometers, show a unique combination of history and contemporary art.

Through the association's ongoing work to preserve the Gera caves, these historic rooms have been rediscovered. “The challenges are numerous,” says Heil, “financing and promoting young talent are topics that constantly concern us.” Nevertheless, the hope for continued funding remains, even if they have no illusions about it.

A sign of peace

Another highlight of the Biennale is the Peace Pole, which will now stand permanently in the garden of theschulenburg house with the inscription “May there be peace on earth”. This approximately three meter high pole is a sign of the collective desire for peace and integrates harmoniously into the thematic focus of the Biennale. As the opening ceremony among enthusiastic art lovers showed, there is both a lot of commitment and a lot of passion for art in Gera.

The World Art Biennale in Venice will soon be over. Although this forms a different framework, the efforts towards artistic exchange and social issues are reflected in both events in a remarkable way. Every two years in Venice and Gera it becomes clear that art is alive and has a voice. Whether in the air raid shelters of Gera or in the Giardini of the lagoon city - the following applies everywhere: art speaks, and we should listen.