FLY

The exhibition F L Y features works on paper, paintings, sculptures, and objects from the collection of the Städtische Galerie Delmenhorst, Haus Coburg. Over the past ten years, the gallery has acquired approximately 140 works and 16 groups of works by a total of 45 artists working both internationally and in the region. Sparkling nuggets that got caught in the wide mesh of a modest acquisition budget. The primary source of these works was the gallery’s own exhibition projects, and in many cases the artists themselves supported the acquisitions through their generous cooperation. Seen in this light, the steadily growing collection also reflects, to some extent, the exhibition program of the Städtische Galerie Delmenhorst.

F L Y invited the poet Arne Rautenberg—who is also active as a visual artist creating collages, prints, and text installations—to curate a selection. What goes on in the poet’s mind? What images inspire his poetic thinking? Short and very short poems, touching lyrical reflections, poems for children, as well as cascades of words and rhymes, humorous linguistic experiments, aphorisms, and visual poetry.

Arne Rautenberg had carte blanche to rummage through the museum’s collection. At the same time, he was tasked with responding to each presented work using his own poems—including newly written pieces, works from his repertoire, and site-specific text installations. He was asked to provide captions, associative references, playful elements, and surprises. Anything but illustrative explanations. What was sought were poems that entice the mind, that cast a spell, yes, that give the audience wings as they view the works.