THREADS OF LIFE. Corina Gertz & Hannah Maria Schmutterer
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
1 November 2026 to 28 February 2027
An exhibition as part of World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 “Design for democracy – Atmospheres for a better life”
»EXHIBITION OPENING«
Saturday, 31 October, 6 pm Kunstforum der TU DarmstadtHochschulstraße 1, 2nd floor 64289 Darmstadt
WELCOME
Dr. Patrick Honecker, MBA Chief Communication Officer (CCO), Member of the Extended Executive Boardof TU Darmstadt
Dr. Claudia Scholtz Managing Director of the Hessische Kulturstiftung
INTRODUCTION
Julia Reichelt, M.A. Head of the Kunstforum der TU Darmstadt
The artists Corina Gertz and Hannah Maria Schmutterer will be present.
With THREADS OF LIFE. Corina Gertz & Hannah Maria Schmutterer, the Kunstforum der TU Darmstadt presents an exhibition that places textile practices, cultural identity, and questions of visibility at its centre. The title serves as a programmatic motif: Threads of Life refers to the manifold connections between fabric, body, history, and memory that both artists make visible in their own distinct ways.
Photographer Corina Gertz presents works from her ongoing series Das abgewandte Porträt (The Averted Portrait), which she has been working on around the world for many years. In her photographs, she portrays women wearing traditional clothing—but always from behind. The face remains concealed, while the clothing itself becomes a signifier of history, craftsmanship, heritage, and social belonging. In this way, the works offer a quiet yet powerful exploration of diversity, inclusion, and the values of a democratic society.
“The garments tell stories of craftsmanship from the past, of heritage, family and social status, and thus reveal something about the identity of the wearer, without placing her personal individuality at the forefront.”Corina Gertz
Hannah Maria Schmutterer expands this dialogue through works that weave together textile art, painting, poetry, and performance. Her works explore how femininity, memory, and cultural attributions are inscribed in fabrics—and how these meanings can be transformed through artistic practice. Through sewing, unpicking, and reconnecting materials, personal and collective threads of life become tangible and are woven together anew.
“My primary medium is the dress. Dresses as they appear in fairy tales, folklore, films, popular culture, literature, and art … Dresses are symbolically charged objects with their own distinctive language and sociopolitical history.”Hannah Maria Schmutterer
PUBLIC PROGRAMME
TALKS
Thursday, 21 January, 6 pmScience & Art Talk: Threats of Matter – The Science Behind the Threads of Life
with Prof. Markus Biesalski (Department of Chemistry, Macromolecular Chemistry & Paper Chemistry), Prof. Alexandra Karentzos (Department of Human Sciences, Fashion and Aesthetics), and Prof. Markus Prechtl (Head of the Chemistry Education Research Group, Department of Chemistry, TU Darmstadt). Moderation: Dr. Patrick Honecker, CCO of TU Darmstadt
Altes Hauptgebäude der TU Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 1, Wilhelm-Köhler-Saal
Friday, 12 February, 6 pm The Poetic Dress
Hannah Maria Schmutterer discusses her current doctoral research at the Department of Human Sciences, TU Darmstadt.
Thursday, 19 November, 6 pm Exhibition tour with Corina Gertz, Hannah Maria Schmutterer, and Julia Reichelt
WORKSHOPS
Saturday, 28 November, 2–6 pm Natural Dyeing Crash Course with Kathrin Stößer, Blaumacherei / Kunstforum der TU Darmstadt
Saturday, 5 December, 6 pm Women in Fairytales – Reading Performance with Hannah Maria Schmutterer and performers
Saturday, 6 February, 10 am–6 pm My Colourful Threads of Life Creative biographical workshop with Vanessa Geuen (Head of the Writing Center, TU Darmstadt)
Altes Hauptgebäude der TU Darmstadt, Hochschulstraße 1, ground floor, Room 21
Saturday, 13 February, 10 am–2 pm Wonderous Costumes Artistic costume workshop with Hannah Maria Schmutterer
Saturday, 20 February, 2–5 pm Making Plant Inks with Kathrin Stößer, Blaumacherei / Kunstforum der TU Darmstadt
SHORT TOURS DURING THE LUNCH BREAK
Thursday, 5 November, 6 pm Curator’s tour with Julia Reichelt
Wednesday, 20 January, 12 pm with Nicole Lechler
Wednesday, 17 February, 12 pm with Torsten Bruns
PUBLIC TOURS
Wednesday, 16 December, 6 pm with Nicole Lechler
Thursday, 14 January, 6 pm with Torsten Bruns
Wednesday, 10 February, 6 pm with Julia Reichelt
Unless otherwise stated, the meeting point for all events is the Kunstforum der TU Darmstadt, Altes Hauptgebäude, Hochschulstraße 1, 64289 Darmstadt.
OPENING HOURS
Wednesday to Sunday, 1–6 pm.
The Kunstforum will be closed during TU Darmstadt’s winter break from 21 December 2026 to 12 January 2027.
Admission is free!
INFORMATION AND REGISTRATION
Information and registration for all events:www.tu-darmstadt.de/kunstforum
WITH THE KIND SUPPORT OF
Technische Universität Darmstadt
Hessische Kulturstiftung
Bürgerstiftung Darmstadt
Kurt & Lilo Werner Stiftung
Vereinigung von Freunden der TU Darmstadt
IN COOPERATION WITH
Department of Human Sciences
Fashion and Aesthetics
Department of Chemistry
Chemistry Education
Macromolecular Chemistry & Paper Chemistry Research Group
Writing Center
Filmkreis
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