Institute for new social sculptures
Jewish artists and artists critical of antisemitism at work
Institut für Neue Soziale Plastik (Institute for new social sculptures) is a not-for-profit association of Jewish directors, writers, and other artists who share their critique of antisemitism. It was founded in 2015. We develop artistic projects from Jewish points of view dealing with contemporary Jewish life, with memorial culture and with antisemitism. Our works include performances, installations, and exhibitions, sometimes projects draw on educational or participatory approaches.
Working on Jewish themes and calling out antisemitism regularly leads to antisemitic reactions, in artistic institutions, cultural contexts and funding bodies just as much as in other parts of society. Seen that we operate in these contexts ourselves we’ve had to find ways of dealing with antisemitism right from the start of the Institute’s work. And so, over the years a second focus has emerged alongside our own artistic work: work on antisemitism in artistic works, structures, and institutions, as well as – on the other hand – the empowerment of Jewish artists.
The Institute has three locations: Our head office is in Berlin. In Messingwerk (part of the town of Eberswalde in Brandenburg, an hour north of Berlin) we created and run an exhibition on the history of Jewish migration, early German Zionism, and anti-Zionism. We are also artists in residence at Munich‘s Kammerspiele theatre.
The Institute’s board of directors has three members (Mia Alvizuri Sommerfeld, Stella Leder, Benno Plassmann) whom you can reach at info[at]neue-soziale-plastik[.]org