The art project

TO THE POPULATION

in the Bundestag

Dear colleagues, art is freedom. Let us keep it free! Let us demonstrate the sovereignty that befits the Bundestag in the 51st year of its successful existence. Let us not respond with anxious or vehement rejection, but rather rise to the challenge and even the contradiction posed by Hans Haacke’s art project.

In my view, Hans Haacke’s artwork not only does not constitute an attack on the Constitution, but in fact serves Articles 1 and 3 of our Basic Law in a particularly profound way.

The work is an expression of democracy in action, as participation in lived artistic freedom can take place here in manifold ways. From these shared contributions emerges something that was previously unforeseeable. For more than twenty years, Haacke’s work has made one thing clear: art shapes politics – and politics shapes art.

School classes in particular are eager to participate, bringing soil from their school gardens – and thus a piece of home – into the Bundestag. In this way, the Bundestag loses its abstract character for them; it becomes tangible and a place of identification.

The inscription ‘DER BEVÖLKERUNG’ (‘To the Population’) underscores the constitutional principle: ‘Human dignity shall be inviolable.’ Haacke’s work has therefore lost none of its relevance.

Every visitor group is completely astonished that something like this exists — and they immediately feel a personal connection. They say: ‘Look, down there is soil from Westerngrund, soil from Johannesberg’ –  and that strengthens the sense of togetherness.

Especially in times when right-wing narratives are once again growing louder, we need clear signals: democracy thrives on participation – by many. We are rooted in an open society. And we take responsibility.

The artwork offers an opportunity to understand Parliament as a living, constantly evolving institution – one that remains in dialogue with its citizens.

In this way, a piece of vitality enters Parliament. It symbolizes that democracy and the rule of law need the people – and that the people need democracy and the rule of law. We are all responsible for the legal framework that serves the population.