1000 GESTALTEN: ghostly figures protest at the G20 summit in hamburg

on july 5th 2017, 1000 figures covered in clay appeared on the streets of hamburg, germany – silently protesting on the occasion of the current G20 summit. through a two-hour long performance organized by the local collective 1000 GESTALTEN, the group sent out a powerful message that urged germany and the world to fight for a better humanity and solidarity in these difficult times.

1000 GESTALTEN / G20 hamburg summit
video from 1000 GESTALTEN

the art performance by 1000 GESTALTEN unfolded itself as an overwhelming story of transformation and growth. indeed, the dusty clay shells evoke a society that has lost its sense of solidarity, ultimately contaminating itself with the taste of selfishness and nonacceptance. yet, at some point during the act, the group dramatically sheds its second skin — symbolizing a people that has freed itself from its rigid ideological structures. in other words, this represents a society that has overcome political turmoils and came together in demand of more tolerance, open-mindedness and constructive discourse.

image © andrea ruester

as the spokesmen of 1000 GESTALTEN state, ‘we cannot wait until change happens from the world’s most powerful, we have to show political and social responsibility – all of us – now! we want to put back in memory how compassion and public spirit conveys identity for a society. Our campaign is a further symbol for the fact that many people do not want to put up with the destructive impact of capitalism any longer. what will save us in the end is not our account balance but someone who will offer their holding hand’.

image © christian angl

1000 GESTALTEN first formed in february of this year, in response to the most recent global events. thanks to over a hundred volunteers and several weeks of planning, the project successfully took place between berlin and hamburg. this collective is hosted by the cultural association Neu am See e.V, with the art performance supported and assisted by gängeviertel hamburg and alles allen.

image courtesy of 1000 GESTALTEN

1000 ghostly figures march the streets of hamburg in protest for the G20 summit

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