Showcases of artwork or displays - "Man and Mining" begins at Völklingen Ironworks, a World Cultural Heritage Site.
From June 1st to September 1st, the exhibition "Man & Mining" will be on display at the World Heritage Site Völklinger Hütte in Saarland, showcasing the impact of global mineral resource extraction on both humans and nature. General Director Ralf Beil announced this on Wednesday in Völklingen, highlighting the close connection between the event and the site's history. He noted, "Without the extraction of ore and coal, there would have been no ironworks or iron production."
The Völklinger Hütte, which was responsible for iron production for over a century, closed its operations in July 1986. This unique piece of industrial history is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
Beil further explained, "This exhibition tackles a fundamental question related to human existence: the exploitation of our planet to enhance lives and increase wealth, often at a significant cost to many people." The focus is primarily on mining activities in the Global South, with particular attention given to important commodities like ore, coal, gold, silver, mangan, and lithium - a mineral essential for electric vehicles, tablets, and smartphones.
The Iron Hall will feature photographs, object art, and room installations by various artists such as Unknown Fields, Danny Franzreb, Johnny Haglund, Pieter Hugo, and Lu Guang. The exhibition was collaboratively organised by Völklinger Hütte and the Museum of Work in Hamburg. Previously, it was successfully debuted at the latter location.
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- The "Man & Mining" exhibition, set to run from June 1st to September 1st, will showcase the impact of global mineral resource extraction in the Völklinger Hütte in Saarland, Germany, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its historical iron production.
- This exhibition, which originated at the Museum of Work in Hamburg, will feature various artists like Unknown Fields, Danny Franzreb, and Lu Guang, exploring the theme of mining activities, particularly focusing on crucial commodities such as ore, coal, and lithium, in countries around the world.
- The "Man & Mining" exhibition in Völklingen not only provides a deep dive into the mining industry's historical and ongoing influence on human existence and wealth creation but also highlights the challenges and consequences connected with the extraction of natural resources, including its impact on communities in the Global South.
