Why participation is a central part of my exhibition “KOPFLANDSCHAFTEN”

One of the most important reasons why I make art is my need to communicate and the resulting exchange with other people.

Especially with chronic illnesses like migraine, I repeatedly experience how difficult it is to make inner experiences visible or understandable. Art allows me to express things for which words are often insufficient: pain, sensory overload, loss of time, loss of control, withdrawal, or anger.

At the same time, I also realize that my migraine is not the same as that of other sufferers. For me, this is precisely one of the biggest challenges in society's approach to migraine. I've often observed how quickly the feeling arises that one has "understood migraine." People then project individual experiences onto all sufferers. But migraine is not a uniform experience. Symptoms, triggers, perceptions, and limitations vary massively.

Poster exhibition KOPFLANDSCHAFTEN (HEAD SPACES)

Therefore, participation also plays a central role in my exhibition "KOPFLANDSCHAFTEN – an artistic approach to migraine”.

A participatory puzzle will be created during the exhibition. I'm already collecting terms, colors, shapes, and images that other migraine sufferers associate with their condition via Instagram and my website. Visitors can also submit suggestions on-site during the exhibition. I will then artistically translate these impressions into individual puzzle pieces.

I spent a long time thinking about what form this artwork should take, and a puzzle seemed like the perfect fit. With each piece, you recognize something more. At the same time, new images, new perspectives, and new connections constantly emerge. The overall picture remains open and continually changes—just as experiences with migraine are constantly changing.

During the exhibition, I'm also planning a workshop where people affected by migraine can create their own artwork about their condition. It quickly became clear, however, that many interested people don't even come from Kiel or are unable to participate in the workshop due to their illness.

Therefore, I have also set up an online gallery on my website where those affected can share their artwork.

"Error 404" - submission by Jasmin Nestmann.

What particularly touches me is how many people have already participated and how great the interest is in making experiences visible and sharing them with others. Many use art to cope with pain, loss of control, or isolation. At the same time, this creates new forms of exchange and visibility.

At this point, I would also like to draw attention to the work of the Migraine Aura Foundation, which has been intensively studying migraine art by sufferers and collecting such works for some time now.

The accompanying research within the exhibition is also deliberately designed to be participatory. I am interested in the question of how art can influence societal perceptions of migraine – particularly with regard to destigmatizing and increasing the visibility of chronic illnesses.

The research stations are therefore deliberately designed to be easily accessible and dialogue-oriented. Visitors can reflect on how much they know about migraine before and after visiting the exhibition, leave questions and answers on a dialogue wall, or visualize on a body map how a migraine feels in their body. A "whispering box" provides the opportunity to record thoughts or experiences that one has always wanted to share – with doctors, health insurance companies, politicians, relatives, or other affected individuals.

From the series ‘Je ne sais pas’. The image is available to purchase as a postcard during the exhibition.

For me, this exchange is one of the most valuable parts of the entire project.

Through the exhibition I have already met so many incredibly interesting people, received touching messages and experienced how important spaces can be where those affected feel seen and can share their experiences.

If you yourself suffer from migraine, I would still love to hear about the terms, colors, images, or thoughts you associate with it - whether it's a short sentence, a spontaneous idea, or a finished work of art. Contributions for the participatory puzzle or the online gallery can be submitted via email .

And of course, I am delighted to welcome everyone who visits the exhibition, joins the discussion, asks questions, or simply wants to drop by out of curiosity.

KOPFLANDSCHAFTEN – an artistic approach to migraine

📅 June 3–13, 2026 | Mon–Sat 11 am–6 pm

📍 Pop-up Pavilion Kiel, Alter Markt 17