Open Access is an experiment. Twelve people living in Hamburg talk with the director of the Hamburger Kunsthalle about social topics that concern them. What they have in common is the fact that they all came from different countries at different points in time, and have stayed.

The group includes the director who also recently came to Hamburg. What they are bringing along are thirteen individual biographies, perspectives and life experience. What is it that affects people in a multifaceted, intercultural city like Hamburg? What are their personal issues and views and which ones do they share? And what happens, when these perspectives interact with art? In several workshops, the participants intensively engage in the works of the Hamburger Kunsthalle. This will result in thirteen views on the collection, outlined under the five major topics respect, dialogue, empowerment, community and freedom. This experiment deals with different points of view onto art history, but also investigates the role of the museum and what it can contribute to an urban society. In which way can a museum, as a public space, be a place for the public?

13 citizens of Hamburg met for the first time at January 19th and for a second workshop at January 26th at the Hamburger Kunsthalle. Workshops number three, four and five took place at February 4th, 11th and 18th.