Automatic, autonomous, out of control? The Future of Warfare (Ingolstadt, Germany)

From 14 to 16 June 2018, Stadttheater Ingolstadt (municipal theatre of Ingolstadt, Bavaria) organises the interdisciplinary “infotainment spectacle” Futurologischer Kongress (Futurological Congress) with various partners on the future of our society, with a strong focus on the possible results of the so-called fourth industrial revolution. The title, of course, refers to Stanisław Lem’s eponymous dystopia. In this respect, the Bavarian Army Museum hosts the panel discussion “Automatic, autonomous, out of control? The Future of Warfare”. Experts from politics, science, the defence industry and the military will discuss unmanned military systems, their possibilities and limits, and how we should deal with them. Continue reading “Automatic, autonomous, out of control? The Future of Warfare (Ingolstadt, Germany)”

Essay: 1917 – A German Perspective

My short essay “1917 – A German Perspective” about the war year of 1917 is now online on New Zealand’s official website about the First World War Centenary. For both New Zealand and Australia, the First World War is of pivotal importance for shaping the national self-concept. Other perceptions are crucial if a reduction to the own perspective is to be avoided. It has been a pleasure and honour to make a small contribution in this respect.

Works by German artists from the times of the First World War were used as illustration, mostly coming from the wonderful collection of Dr Gerhard Schneider – a sincere word of thanks for this support! Continue reading “Essay: 1917 – A German Perspective”

Lecture “‘An artwork, liked by men’ – 100 Years of War as Mirrored by Art” (Berlin)

Sorry, this entry is only available in German.

Warning & Temptation – The Pictorial Worlds of War of Käthe Kollwitz and Kata Legrady (Berlin)

From 30 June until 9 November 2014, Käthe-Kollwitz-Museum in Berlin presents the exhibition Warning and Temptation – The Pictorial Worlds of War of Käthe Kollwitz and Kata Legrady. Two very different artists and their individual examination of war are contrasted with each other; on one hand, the pacifist works of Käthe Kollwitz that have not lost their impact and timelessness over many decades; and on the other hand, the direct and colourful works by Kata Legrady, born in 1974 in Hungary, whose contemporary approach addresses the propagandistic promises of war. In addition, the exhibition will present selected pupil’s works that mainly deal with Käthe Kollwitz as mother and grandmother, who has lost her son Peter during the First World War, and her grandson Peter during the Second World War. Continue reading “Warning & Temptation – The Pictorial Worlds of War of Käthe Kollwitz and Kata Legrady (Berlin)”