THREADS OF LIFE. Corina Gertz & Hannah Maria Schmutterer

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