Oliver Hardt's Exhibition in Frankfurt Examines Fragility of Cultural Institutions
Artist Oliver Hardt presents his exhibition "Internal Review" at the Synnika Art Space in Frankfurt, exploring the vulnerability of cultural institutions to state intervention. The centerpiece is the documentary "The Black Museum," which chronicles the creation of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Hardt juxtaposes this with fictionalized presidential decrees from 2025, attributed to Donald Trump, that mandate exclusively positive historical narratives and target institutions like the NMAAHC. By displaying these alongside speeches by former President Barack Obama, the exhibition highlights the non-linear nature of political progress and the radical shift in US cultural policy. The show also connects these American developments to Germany, featuring documents on local artistic censorship and right-wing extremist political programs that emulate Trump’s approach. Ultimately, Hardt questions how fragile democratic cultural projects are when faced with authoritarian pressures, urging viewers to recognize the ongoing struggle for social cohesion and historical truth in both the US and Europe.
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