Ashkan Shabani - Queer, Life, Freedom. Archive of Resilience

“Queer, Life, Freedom” is an immersive exhibition that explores the journey of exile, identity, and resilience through photography, text, installation, and performance art. Divided into three distinct spaces—Iran, Turkey, and Germany—the exhibition invites visitors to experience the emotional and physical realities of displacement and survival. By combining personal artifacts, soundscapes, and visual storytelling, the project confronts the enduring impact of rejection and the ongoing fight for acceptance and belonging.

Opening: 16th April, 18:00

_18:30 Guided tour

_Performance by Felix Kindschuh

_Public reading from the book “Queer, Life, Freedom”

// Public program at Kunstraum:

22. April, 14h00 - 15h30: Crossing Narratives. Working through borders. Refugee employment from intersectional and contextual perspectives

by Dr. Lena Knappert (Lecture)

24. April, 14h00 - 17h00: Storytelling Workshop. Crafting Narratives Across Medium 

by Ashkan Shabani (Workshop)

30. April, 16h00 - 18h30: Community Talk. Between Networks of Legal Protection, Care and the Rise of Communities for Refugees in Lüneburg 

by Mosaique + Checkpoint queer (Panel)

6. May, 18h00: Reading club I: “Territory and Borders, Racial Capitalism and Sovereignty in Crisis”, by Gargi Bhattacharyya

by Archipelago LAB (Reading session)

8. May, 18h00: Refugee Law Clinic (RLC). A student Initiative

by Refugee Law Clinic (Talk)

9. May, 14h00: Reading Club II: “Photographic Evangels”, by Susan Sontag 

(Reading session)

Ashkan Shabani is a multimedia journalist specializing in politics, human rights, and global affairs. His work focuses on political developments and LGBTQ+ rights, particularly in the Middle East, delivering compelling storytelling across multiple platforms. With numerous publications in major news outlets and international awards, he brings a deep investigative approach to his reporting. Currently based in Germany, he continues to cover global issues, blending investigative journalism with visual storytelling to engage diverse audiences. Instagram account @shabaniashkan and website here.

Felix Kindschuh is a contemporary artist whose work centers on queer rights, using visual storytelling to explore themes of identity, activism, and social justice. His art challenges societal norms, offering bold and expressive commentary on LGBTQ+ experiences through various mediums, including painting, mixed media, and installations. With a deeply personal yet politically charged approach, his work pushes boundaries, sparks critical conversations, and has been featured in exhibitions internationally.

This performance is part of the event program of the exhibition Queer, Life, Freedom with Ashkan Shabani from 16.04. - 10.05.2025.