In times of social transformations and new global power dynamics, the relationship between the individual and the state becomes increasingly complex. Through photographic and video-based works, the exhibition “State of Belonging” raises questions of belonging, identification, and exclusion.

Sarah Jade Sullivan explores the enduring structures of colonial legacy on St. Vincent and the Grenadines in her work “Hairouna”. She examines the experiences and perspectives of young adults seeking their own identity between indigenous belonging and colonial heritage.

In “Stateless”, Chiara Wettmann addresses the fragile existence of stateless people in Lebanon and Syria. Statelessness results in exclusion from social participation and denial of basic rights, often across generations.

In the documentary-fragmentary video work “Liberty in our Lifetime”, based on the Free Cities Foundation’s namesake conference, Maidje Meergans analyzes the anarcho-capitalist concept of the private city and its promises for the future. Bringing together these three artistic positions highlights how historical continuities and current disruptions challenge and redefine the understanding of statehood and belonging.

Friday, June 26, 2026, 7 pm
Opening Reception