Peace - Peace

An exhibition about the absence of violence. At a time of increasing global conflict, the exhibition PEACE deliberately shifts the focus away from violence and terror and towards the possibility of its absence. Various concepts and definitions of peace are presented and placed in relation to Judaism, politics, war, feminism, dialogue and justice. Selected objects and artistic works illustrate the commitment to peace and peaceful practice.

Perspectives from Augsburg: The special exhibition PEACE is based on the exhibition of the same name at the Jewish Museum Vienna, curated by Adina Seeger and Tom Juncker. The presentation in Augsburg was prompted by two important anniversaries: the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the 375th anniversary of the city's High Peace Festival. Accordingly, the exhibition also provides insights into the commitment to peace in Germany and recognises the special significance of the topic for Augsburg.

Contemporary artistic positions: The woodcut "Peace Now" (1969) by Jewish artist Ernst Hacker from Vienna recalls the political protest movements of his time and shows how intensively art can work for social change. "The Only Thing Left To Do With The Oslo Accords" by the American-Israeli artist Andi Arnovitz is to be understood as a cynical commentary on the failure of the Oslo peace process. With three rolls of toilet paper on which the Oslo Accords are printed, the artist points out what use she believes the agreements can only be put to today. The sculpture "Isaiah #1" by Ramallah-born Osama Zatar reflects the divine instruction to forge 'swords into ploughshares', as recorded in the Book of Isaiah. The work shows the transformation of something destructive into something productive and thus symbolises the profound longing for peace and the overcoming of war.

Historical photographs of Bertha von Suttner, the first Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the social psychologist and peace researcher Herbert C. Kelman portray personalities who have worked for dialogue and conflict transformation over the decades. The hand puppets of "non-violent communication" according to Marshall B. Rosenberg, for example, provide a current perspective on peace work and show how educational and communicative methods contribute to the mediation of empathy and conflict resolution.

Objective of the exhibition: The exhibition aims to recall the civilisational achievement of peace and raise awareness of the fact that this state is always under threat and vulnerable. "With the exhibition, we want to sensitise people to the fact that peace cannot be taken for granted. It must always be negotiated, protected and actively shaped. 375 years ago, Protestants celebrated the High Peace Festival for the first time. Today, the Augsburg holiday is celebrated on a multi-religious basis. A development that seemed unimaginable for many generations. Next year, we want to take part in the festival as a museum with a small peace table in the garden of the Ehemalige Synagoge (Former Synagogue Museum)," says museum director Dr Carmen Reichert.

Last edited on 27.11.2025