How might we visualise the fragmented, partial, and shifting memories of displaced villages within the Rhenish lignite mining region, and in what ways can the affective, temporal, and spatial dimensions of remembrance be conveyed through maps and models?
Since the 1960s, so-called ‘energy sacrifice zones’ have, legitimised the destruction and resettlement of more than 113 historic villages for the advancement of opencast mining. The long-term ecological and social transformation of the region has led not only to profound spatial transformations, but also to fragmented, contested and unevenly preserved forms of memory. As part of the ‘Mapping Memories of Manheim’ project, Master’s students from the Köln International School of Design explored the memories and (im)material losses of the resettled village of Manheim. Through site visits, guided walks, archival research and conversations with displaced eyewitnesses from Manheim, they followed the remaining traces between the old and new locations. In doing so, they examined various layers of memory using design-ethnographic research methods and mapping practices to bring previously overlooked aspects to light. Drawing upon a diverse body of source materials—including audio recordings, drawings, photographs, 3D scans, oral histories, and archival documents—they create experimental maps, models, and spatial installations, which will be on display in the exhibition.
When & Where?
Exhibition dates: Tuesday 2 June, Wednesday 3 June, Friday 5 June
Opening hours: Daily 2 pm – 8 pm; Friday 2 pm – 4 pm
Project presentation: Tuesday 2 June at 1 pm
Venue: Room 240, TH Köln, Cologne International School of Design,
Ubierring 40, 50678 Cologne
Works on display by:
Aaron Siermann, Alejandro Leon Jose Ferreyra, Anastasia Remezova, Dana Bikovitsky, Elisa Maria Hoffmann, Hela Flotmann, Henrike Vormann, Julian Mann, Klara Baumeister, Lara Dederichs, Lotte Victoria Mödden, Malte Maximilian Kern, Marie Gerda Backhaus, Oscar Lu, Ourania Gerakis, Tasnim Tabassum and Avar Tewari.
The project was conceived, organised and supervised by:
Dr Simon Meienberg, guest lecturer of the area of expertise “Design Theory and Research” (Prof. Dr. Carolin Höfler)