The Holding Environment, Chapter I

April 10 – June 20, 2021

Opening: Friday, 9 April, 12–9 pm

The Holding Environment is an exhibition in two chapters. Between them, a short pause will allow for reflection, reconfiguring, and responding to the changing conditions in which the exhibition is held.

Chapter I opens Friday, 9 April, 12–9 pm
10 April – 20 June 2021

Chapter II opens Saturday, 3 July, 12–9 pm
4 July – 1 August 2021 (extended until 8 August 2021)

With Tolia Astakhishvili, Morgan Bassichis, Gregg Bordowitz, Sarah Davachi, Sara Deraedt, Jason Dodge, Martin Erhard, Annika Eriksson, Ada Frände, Michael Fullerton, Michael Kleine, John Knight, Marc Kokopeli, Pope.L, Carolyn Lazard, Rachel Reupke, James Richards, Marianna Simnett, Niklas Taleb, Co Westerik and Jiannan Wu.

Curated by Fatima Hellberg

The notion of the holding environment – the slippage between care, dependence, holding and that which fails to hold adequately – loops back in the show in newly conceived and existing works.

The exhibition and its associated events consider care in ways that encompass both its inherent tenderness and something infantilising, sinister or perverse that lies beyond the point where the authenticity of the care becomes unstable. Realised and developed during a pandemic that has intensified tensions of interpersonal dependency and structural fragility, the show speaks of both the urgency and the necessity of care, and of the slippery nature of good intentions in the age of mass individualism.

Formally, this is a show in which containers and thresholds – both actual and metaphoric – are integral to how the space is structured, to how it holds and behaves. That is, the exhibition is understood as having the capacity to embody and relate contradictions that structure psychological and institutional space. The oscillation between the holding environment treated as both physical space and metaphor was proposed by the psychoanalyst and paediatrician Donald Winnicott in works such as Holding and Interpretation (1986). His writings proceed from the figure of the child, not just as a little person under the tutelage of adults, but also as the submerged one, who is without power and must, by necessity, to negotiate states of dependency. Within Winnicott's work, the child and the act of holding become a way of understanding a minor politics – a relation to be thought of across scales, from an intimate space to a structural and institutional consideration of dependency. Such a shift between the mundane and the structural carries the risk of losing sight of difference, nuance and attention, one reason why doubt and ambivalence coupled with commitment and empathy are all the more important to the notion of the holding environment. This is a show that aims to stay put in that space, engaging with the pitfalls of a corrupted notion of care, but also with paths for rehabilitation, restoration and restitution, negotiated through a non-selfish spirit of holding.

The Holding Environment is accompanied by a series of events, including a specifically conceived performance and composition by musician Sarah Davachi; Divine Drudgery, a publication edited with James Richards and Leslie Thornton, with contributions and work by Horst Ademeit, Rae Armantrout, Tolia Astakhishvili, Ed Atkins, Kirsty Bell, Adelhyd van Bender, Bruce Conner, Fatima Hellberg, Mason Leaver-Yap, Veit Loers, Terence McCormack, James Richards and Leslie Thornton; and talks and events with the writer and poet Fanny Howe the and filmmaker, artist and activist Gregg Bordowitz, amongst others.

Realised with the generous support of Kunststiftung NRW, Stiftung Kunst der Sparkasse in Bonn, Sparkassen-Kulturstiftung Rheinland, Consulate General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Stiftung Kunstfonds and Knauber, Bonn.

John Knight, Bahnhofsmission, a work ex situ, 2021. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist. — John Knight, *Bahnhofsmission, a work ex situ,* 2021. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist.

Michael Kleine, Treppe und Wand, 2021. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist. — Michael Kleine, *Treppe und Wand*, 2021. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist.

The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Installation view with Ada Frände, Fenster II, 2021, and Michael Fullerton, Vidal Sasson’s Mother, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists and Greene Naftali, New York. — *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Installation view with Ada Frände, *Fenster II*, 2021, and Michael Fullerton, *Vidal Sasson’s Mother*, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists and Greene Naftali, New York.

The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021, Installation view with f.l.t.r.: Pope.L, Small Cup, 2008; Ada Frände, Fenster II, 2021; Michael Fullerton, Vidal Sassoon‘s Mother, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists, Greene Naftali, New York, and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York. — *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021, Installation view with f.l.t.r.: Pope.L, *Small Cup*, 2008; Ada Frände, *Fenster II*, 2021; Michael Fullerton, *Vidal Sassoon‘s Mother*, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists, Greene Naftali, New York, and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York.

Ada Frände, Fenster II, 2021, and Michael Fullerton, Vidal Sasson’s Mother, 2021. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists. — Ada Frände, *Fenster II*, 2021, and Michael Fullerton, *Vidal Sasson’s Mother*, 2021. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists.

Pope.L, Small Cup, 2008. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York. — Pope.L, *Small Cup*, 2008. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist and Mitchell-Innes & Nash, New York.

The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. — *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha.

Co Westerik, Foot, 1990; Seven Grasses, 2011; Five grasses and portrait, 2013. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy Westerik Foundation. — Co Westerik, *Foot*, 1990; *Seven Grasses*, 2011; *Five grasses and portrait*, 2013. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy Westerik Foundation.

Co Westerik, Contact from above, 2011; Grasses and Hand, 2013; Hand kiss (1), 1984. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy Westerik Foundation. — Co Westerik, *Contact from above*, 2011; *Grasses and Hand*, 2013; *Hand kiss (1)*, 1984. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy Westerik Foundation.

The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Installation view with f.l.t.r.: Jason Dodge, Untitled, 2020; Jiannan Wu, Graduation, 2019, and Ada Frände, Fenster I, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists. — *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Installation view with f.l.t.r.: Jason Dodge, *Untitled*, 2020; Jiannan Wu, *Graduation*, 2019, and Ada Frände, *Fenster I*, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists.

Michael Kleine, Ofen, 2015. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist. — Michael Kleine, *Ofen*, 2015. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist.

Marc Kokopeli, Die Pampertaarten, 2021. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist. — Marc Kokopeli, *Die Pampertaarten*, 2021. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist.

Marc Kokopeli, Die Pampertaarten, 2021 (detail). Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist. — Marc Kokopeli, *Die Pampertaarten*, 2021 (detail). Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist.

Annika Eriksson, Shelter, 2021. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist. — Annika Eriksson, *Shelter*, 2021. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist.

Jason Dodge, Untitled, 2020 (detail). Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist. — Jason Dodge, *Untitled*, 2020 (detail). Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artist.

Tolia Astakhishvili and James Richards, Tenant, 2021. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists, Isabella Bortolozzi, Berlin and Rodeo, Istanbul. — Tolia Astakhishvili and James Richards, *Tenant*, 2021. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists, Isabella Bortolozzi, Berlin and Rodeo, Istanbul.

Tolia Astakhishvili and James Richards, Tenant, 2021 (detail). Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists, Isabella Bortolozzi, Berlin and Rodeo, Istanbul. — Tolia Astakhishvili and James Richards, *Tenant*, 2021 (detail). Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy of the artists, Isabella Bortolozzi, Berlin and Rodeo, Istanbul.

Marianna Simnett, The Udder, 2014. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy the artist. — Marianna Simnett, *The Udder*, 2014. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy the artist.

Niklas Taleb, overthinking the hand, 2021. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy the artist. — Niklas Taleb, *overthinking the hand*, 2021. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy the artist.

Martin Erhard, Untitled, undated; Haus für Nachholung, Sport, Übung und Kunst sowie zum Schauvergnügen mit sündh. Genussbank., undated; Untitled, undated. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy Delmes & Zander, Cologne. — Martin Erhard, *Untitled*, undated; *Haus für Nachholung, Sport, Übung und Kunst sowie zum Schauvergnügen mit sündh. Genussbank.*, undated; Untitled, undated. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy Delmes & Zander, Cologne.

Martin Erhard, Haus für Nachholung, Sport, Übung und Kunst sowie zum Schauvergnügen mit sündh. Genussbank, undated. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy Delmes & Zander, Cologne. — Martin Erhard, *Haus für Nachholung, Sport, Übung und Kunst sowie zum Schauvergnügen mit sündh. Genussbank*, undated. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy Delmes & Zander, Cologne.

Jason Dodge, Untitled, 2020, and Carolyn Lazard, Pre-existing Condition, 2019. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy the artist and Essex Street Gallery, New York. — Jason Dodge, *Untitled*, 2020, and Carolyn Lazard, *Pre-existing Condition*, 2019. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy the artist and Essex Street Gallery, New York.

Gregg Bordowitz & Morgan Bassischis, This is the fast I want, 2021. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy the artists. — Gregg Bordowitz & Morgan Bassischis, This is the fast I want, 2021. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy the artists.

Marc Kokopeli, Untitled, 2016-2021. Installation view: The Holding Environment, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy the artist. — Marc Kokopeli, *Untitled*, 2016-2021. Installation view: *The Holding Environment*, Bonner Kunstverein, 2021. Photo: Mareike Tocha. Courtesy the artist.

Marc Kokopeli, Untitled, 2016-2021. Courtesy the artist. — Marc Kokopeli, *Untitled*, 2016-2021. Courtesy the artist.