On 27 February, the annual Accessibility programme came to an end. In numerous exhibitions, events and conversations with visitors, we discussed together: Whose freedom is the norm? Who has access to public spaces? How can we care for each other together? Can an art gallery be a place of care?

The renovation work on the Kunsthalle Osnabrück building is still ongoing. That’s why the Kunsthalle is still wrapped in scaffolding. So the Kunsthalle has decided: We want to continue showing art on this scaffolding. It has asked the American artists:in Shannon Finnegan to show a new, large work there. From 7 March, a banner will be on display on the scaffolding. The banner is titled Hello from my bedside table. It is 10 by 12 metres. So it is very visible. On the banner is a very private and everyday moment from the artist:in’s life. It is a handkerchief dispenser. Shannon Finnegan crocheted a house for the tissue dispenser. The photo shows a caring gesture by the artist:in for an object. And the handkerchief dispenser bears care for the artist:in.

Under the handkerchief dispenser you can read “Caretaker/Caregiver”. Translated, this means to receive care/give care. Shannon Finnegan quotes the artist Johanna Hedva and her project Get Well Soon from 2020. Johanna Hedva writes: The words “caretaker” and “caregiver” mean the same thing in English. Johanna Hedva finds this comforting. She urges: Caring for each other is a task for everyone. Everyone should look after each other. Everyone should take care of others.

The acute war situation in Ukraine makes it even clearer that we must now show solidarity with each other. Freedom is not a matter of course; we must protect it together.

Now the annual Accessibility programme has come to an end. We have learned a lot this year. And unlearned a lot. These things will find their way into the next projects.