We find ourselves in a region that is already significantly affected by the consequences of climate change and will be even more so in the future. The artworks invite us to explore how we cope with loss, change, and uncertainty.

The exhibition "SOLASTALGIA. Forest Bathing with Plastic Dolphin" approaches this complex feeling from various perspectives. Rather than succumbing to a sense of powerlessness, it harnesses the power of imagination: the invention of new images and worlds, close observation and reflection, and, not least, a touch of humour. Works by Sophia Süßmilch, Jenny Schäfer, and Jessica Arseneau are on display. An audio station in the entrance area and a supporting event expand the exhibition to include contributions by author Jürgen Nendza. The exhibition was curated by Lorenza Kaib, the 2026 curatorial fellow at Künstlerhaus Lukas.

Art has long engaged with how we feel, think, and react to change. Climate change and its associated ecological crises are new additions to this conversation. How do they impact our lives and experiences? What traces do they leave on our thinking, our relationships, and our vision of the future? The exhibition focuses on various strategies for coping with the stresses of a changing world: withdrawal and care, imagination and adaptation, and new forms of coexistence and perception. "SOLASTALGIA. Forest Bathing with Plastic Dolphin" explores these questions and potential answers.

Jenny Schäfer works with text, photography, and (found) objects, creating artist’s books and installations for exhibitions. Her work offers a critique of society yet is driven above all by a delight in looking and expands our perception. In doing so, Schäfer does not shy away from incorporating "kitsch."

Sophia Süßmilch is a performance artist whose multimedia practice encompasses both painting and photography. The female body, often her own, and forms of rebellion against standardization and societal constraints are central themes in her work.

For Jessica Arseneau, temporality, sleep, and dreams are key themes. Her works lead into liminal realms where reality and imagination, wakefulness and dreaming converge. Through video and installation, she explores how we perceive time and how our experience is shaped by a world that rarely finds rest.

An accompanying publication is available.

Programme

6 June 2026, 5 pm

Opening reception with an artist talk

Lorenza Kaib, curator of the exhibition, will introduce the theme of ‘solastalgia’ and, in conversation with the artists present, shed light on individual aspects of the works on display. The audience is invited to ask questions.
(Primarily in German. Translation into English is possible if required.)

12 June 2026, 8 pm

Curated evening tour

Lorenza Kaib, curator of the exhibition, will introduce the theme of ‘solastalgia’ and highlight individual aspects of the works on display. The audience is invited to ask questions and discuss fears about the future, positive visions and climate change.
(Primarily in German. Translation into English is possible if required.)

3 July 2026, 11 am

Family tour in simple language

What is changing around us? How does this affect us? Can art give us new ideas on how to deal with the future? Participants will explore these and other questions together with Olivia Franke, artistic director of Kunsthaus Lukas and Neues Kunsthaus Ahrenshoop.
(In German.)

5 July 2026, 3 pm

Resilience in times of crisis: Open workshop with Psychologists for Future

Led by Sarah Stapel, this workshop offers a mix of academic insights, opportunities to share experiences, and practical exercises. It focuses not only on individual well-being, but also on the role of mental health in collective social change. The following questions may serve as a guide: How does the climate crisis affect our mental health? What is climate anxiety – and how can we address it? How can we deal constructively with feelings of powerlessness and develop resilience? What do we need to maintain a balance between self-care and engagement?
(Primarily in German. Translation into English is possible if required.)

25 July 2026, 5 pm

Putting down (air) roots together: A performative poetry walk with Jürgen Nendza

Through a blend of walking, poetry readings and listening to sound sculptures set to music, the audience will discover new ways of engaging with their immediate surroundings, with nature itself – and perhaps even with themselves. The event will be moderated by literary scholar Cornelia Jentzsch.
(In German.)

26 August 2026, 11 am

Right under our noses. Experiencing nature first-hand

Together with Lutz Storm, a ranger at the National Park, we will take a closer look at the Bodden landscape surrounding the Neues Kunsthaus Ahrenshoop. What animals and plants can we discover there? What has already changed as a result of climate change? Why is the Bodden landscape so worthy of protection? What makes it special?
(In German.)

30 August 2026, 11 am

Finissage with short guided tour and open discussion: SOLASTALGIA – When the world becomes alien to us

In this established open discussion format, the term ‘solastalgia’ serves as a starting point for a personal exchange. How do we live in a world that is constantly changing due to climate change? How can we cope with the loss of landscape and ecological anxiety? How does all this affect our sense of home? And (where) is there still a place for art in this new world?
(Primarily in German. Translation into English is possible if required.)

All information about your visit