THE HOMELESS GALLERY IS AN ART PROJECT BY HINZ&KUNZT AND THE KUNSTHALLE HAMBURG. HOW A PROJECT CAME TO LIFE THAT UNITES TWO WORLDS IN HAMBURG THAT COULD NOT LIE FURTHER AWAY FROM EACH OTHER – A GLIMPSE.
The crisis becomes reality.
Wars, economic crises, Covid, inflation – the catastrophes melt into a single continuous crisis that, as it does too often, strikes the ones the severest, who were already hit hard. Among them are homeless people.
A vital participant in the fight against homelessness is the street magazine Hinz&Kunzt from Hamburg. For 30 years, they have provided people in need with support, structure, and substantial aid.
Hinz&Kunzt finance themselves through donations, magazine sales, and advertising revenue. But, due to the multitude of crises, many people have difficulty purchasing the magazine. The consequence: a decrease in magazine circulation and, at the same time, an increase in homelessness.
The idea for The Homeless Gallery is born.
It is a brutal cynicism of our society that during challenging times the money gets tighter for people in need, while other areas are seemingly booming. The discrepancy between the flourishing art market and the problems of the Hinz&Künztler:innen, who sell their magazine every day and in every weather, gave us the idea: Why not make money through art ourselves?
The personal stories of the Hinz&Künztler:innen, who over the past 30 years have sold the magazine, are as multifaceted as the Hinz&Künztler:innen. Thirty of said stories tell the thirty artworks of the gallery. They tell stories full of grief, death, and agony but just as much of hope, love, and dreams.
Thanks to artificial intelligence, the art of survival becomes true art.
Now their life stories were translated into images. A vital part of the concept is that the Hinz&Künztler:innen do not simply provide the basis for the project with their stories. Instead, they must be able to create their own pictures. The answer lies in the use of artificial intelligence, aka AI.
The gallery’s home is that of the homeless: under bridges, underpasses, in parks, and under canopies of department stores. The pictures were exposed to all kinds of weather. The streets will leave their mark on the images as they have left on their creators.
A real gallery with all the bits and pieces.
Through QR-Codes connected to the images visitors can get more information on the art. And the gallery would not be complete without an exhibition catalogue. It is available for purchase from every Hinz&Künztler:in in Hamburg. Additionally, there is a shop that offers calendars, posters etc.
The auction: 30 artworks are looking for a home.
After her time on the street, the Homeless Gallery will move into the Kunsthalle Hamburg for a while before the pictures can find a new home – in an auction. Individuals, collectors, and companies can gain a piece of this unique art project and support Hinz&Kunzt – at the same time.
How the Hinz&Künztler:innen profit from the Homeless Gallery.
Help for self-help is the core concept of Hinz&Kunzt. The Homeless Gallery is no exception. That is why every Hinz&Künztler:in received a set amount for their collaboration. The auction revenue will flow into free magazines for all 530 Hinz&Künztler:innen to sell and into the general work and social consultation of Hinz&Kunzt.
Hamburg is a wealthy city with a variety of art and cultural activities to offer. The city of millionaires. And the city of homelessness. The European Union set the goal to get rid of homelessness by the year 2030. The Homeless Gallery shows how unusual ideas and unusual partnerships can take on a fight with one of the greatest grievances of our society. Become a part of this unusual art project, too – become a part of the Homeless Gallery!