“Common Water” is an interdisciplinary art project connecting cultural actors and local communities of waterfront towns Hamburg (Germany), Tricity of Gdansk-Sopot-Gdynya (Poland) and St. Petersburg (Russia). We research the common cultural identity of people around the Baltic Sea and discuss how we can address social, cultural and environmental challenges together.
Today the cultural cooperation between countries around the Baltics becomes extremely important. As many economical, political ties are damaged by the crisis of the Russian-Ukrainian war, cultural projects are the last opportunity to support the dialogue between civil society actors: artists, scientists and experts in the countries of Eastern Partnership and around the Baltic. Through the Common Water Project we express solidarity against any wars and would like to act collectively facing any challenges as a part of Baltic community.
From June to December 2022 the artists, cultural experts, urban planners, researchers and experts in anthropology, sociology, environmentalism, urban development and inhabitants of local communities will come together to share their vision and experience of living near the Baltic Sea, a common body of water in the region. Through a series of creative laboratories in each town they will find out how the Sea affects people around it, discuss how the attitude to water and coastline has changed with time, what characteristics, habits, cultural codes the residents of small waterfront towns have in common
The art pieces produced during the project, results of the collaborative work, as well as documentary stories collected, presented on this digital multimedia platform
The “Common Water” project is implemented by The HUB e.V. in cooperation with Floating EKA Foundation, Waterfront Movement and funded by the German Federal Foreign Office in the framework of the Eastern Partnership program. We would also like to thank project partners in Poland: Recyklon Company (Koszalin), CUMY Foundation, Goyki3 Art Inkubator.
If you have comments, ideas, or suggestions please send us an email at commonwater@gmail.com.
The HUB (Germany)
The HUB is a non-profit association founded by artists, curators and art mediators. The Hub members act as agents of change between the art scene, educational institutions and social initiatives. We work interdisciplinary in close cooperation with local communities and develop new artistic practices in teaching, mediation and cultural education. The most recognized projects are collaboration with Berlin Biennale für zeitgenössische Kunst: “Berlin Biennale: von mir aus”, KUB & Klik e.V. Shelter and care for homeless young people from Eastern Europe: project “Goldmarie”, Heinz-Brandt-Schule Berlin & Kunsthochschule Weissensee, Jugendkunstschule Pankow: project “When Education turns to Art”.
https://thehub-berlin.org
Floating EKA Foundation (Poland)
Floating EKA is a non-profit cultural foundation established by a team of artists, curators and producers from Eastern partnership countries to collaborate beyond the borders and contribute to social cohesion, environmental citizenship, and contribute to building a peaceful, creative, and sustainable Baltic Sea Region.
https://floatingeka.com
WATERFRONT (Russia)
WATERFRONT is a social non-profit activist movement without the formation of a legal entity. Since 2017 Waterfront has conducted interdisciplinary projects, urban researches, exhibitions connected to the city’s embankments, coastal areas and the problems related to their use in St.Petersburg. The Waterfront project was initiated by the Street Art Research Institute, and supported by the Danish Cultural Institute, Nordic Council of Ministers.
https://waterfront.tools
“Common Water” is an interdisciplinary art project connecting cultural actors and local communities of waterfront towns Hamburg (Germany), Tricity of Gdansk-Sopot-Gdynya (Poland) and St. Petersburg (Russia). We research the common cultural identity of people around the Baltic Sea and discuss how we can address social, cultural and environmental challenges together. Read more
