Our guest on the first Forum Kunstkritik is Hans-Jürgen Hafner, critic for Spike Magazine and Die Tageszeitung (Taz), among others. This time, the discussion will focus on the exhibitions 'The Volcano Manifesto' by Cauleen Smith at the Kestnergesellschaft, the group exhibition 'Leben und Sterben in der Ruine #4' at Ruine HQ Hannover, and 'Raoul Hausmann – Vision. Provokation. Dada.' at the Berlinische Galerie.

In Forum Kunstkritik, we talk to a guest – usually a professional critic – about exhibitions.

Admittedly, the genre of exhibition criticism has a difficult standing, and it is not entirely innocent in this regard. Too often, their texts get lost in the pretentious jargon of press releases that are merely retold. And too rarely do they form their own opinions that could generate controversy, or even debate. But if we decouple exhibitions from the passion with which they can be argued about, all that remains of the viewer's happiness or unhappiness is a lonely sigh.

The Forum Kunstkritik is a place for debate! Three specific exhibitions are up for discussion per session. Two of them are current exhibitions from the region. In a playful form of live criticism, we delve through experience reports, accompanying texts and installation views. Always on the lookout for the better argument for what actually distinguishes good exhibitions from bad ones.