The curator’s note
by Wilfried Agricola de Cologne

The World is in turmoil, the human civilisation is in turmoil, culture is in turmoil, the artists are in turmoil – violence and war in Ukraine and elsewhere, the war of the political systems and ideologies, genocide, racism, intolerance, climate change, pandemic, expulsion, refugees, globalization – and all simultaneously! The global crisis!

And what function might art have in all that mess? What message may transport these Peace Letters?

In any case much more than just promising support and solidarity, rather summoning the positive creativity when we, that’s the world community, are staying together brainstorming, acting in respect and responsibility for each other. Art as a tool for sensitizing and encouragement and – Peace. More than 250 selected artists – coming from different continents and cultural backgrounds – show and offer their positive creativity via their audio-visual creations.

The Peace Letters to Ukraine Project is initiated by the Cologne based media artist and chief-curator Wilfried Agricola de Cologne for The New Museum of Networked Art as a networked artistic action in reaction on the war against the Ukraine in solidarity with the Ukrainian people.

The Peace Letters Project is realised between the networked participating artists, curators and cultural institutions in an exchange between virtual and physical space, a physical venue is always simultaneously connected with the virtual space of Alphabet Art Centre, operating from Cologne. The Peace Letters are sent from Cologne to a physical venue which is sending the Peace Letters to Ukraine by screening the (for each venue individually prepared) programs.

In Solidarity – for Peace, Freedom and Humanity!