Workshop The Kids are alright ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Open seminar and panel discussion with Hans-Christian Dany, Carsten Heinze, and Fatumata, organized and moderated by Martin Karcher
Freiraum of the Museums für Kunst und Gewerbe, Steintorplatz, 20099 Hamburg
12–4 pm

Youth may cautiously be considered that phase in which openness and indeterminacy toward the future are the central attributes – at least for those, whose social destiny is not determined by the blunt imperative of economic pressures. Youth is the transformational passage of adolescence between childhood and adulthood that is – or was – characterized by a 'fun of resistance' (Smith), dissociating from the established adult order. Although recent studies point to increasingly peaceful intergenerational relationships, even tending towards friendship, current protests (Fridays for Future, Hong Kong) provide impressive evidence of a generational fault line. "Youth has, again and again, conquered, transformed and improved society and has itself been broken in the process," Rainald Goetz observes during his Büchner Prize speech. Echoing Goetz, the workshop is interested in adolescence as a space of possibility for change. Contrary to an exclusively 'adult' interpretation of youth, conventionally characterized by a deep-seated lack of understanding ('ok boomer') and systematic devaluation (immature, ungrateful, inclination to violence, lack of manners and of rationality) towards the succeeding generation – the envisaged format considers youth as a burning glass for the present, illuminating social antagonisms.

In the first part of the event (open seminar, 12–2 pm), short texts on the topic of youth will be read and reflected upon together. In the following discussion panel (2–4 pm) diverse approaches to 'youth' will be interrelated in a dialogue format. Yet, talks will not only be about youth, but will open a space for youth to have a say (as far as this collective subject exists).

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Seminar und Panel-Diskussion, organisiert von Martin Karcher, The Kids are alright, Freiraum des MKG, Gegenwart: Doing Youth 2021