Planetarische Bauern [Planetary Peasants]

In 2025, the end of the German Peasants' War marks its 500th anniversary. This serves as the occasion for a contemporary artistic exploration. Based on the conditions and unresolved questions of the historical events, the project examines the state of globalized agriculture, the realities of farmers' lives today, and the relevance of the demands made in 1525.

The special exhibition Planetary Peasants, a collaboration between the Kulturstiftung Sachsen-Anhalt and Werkleitz, presents 30 contemporary artistic positions from May 23 to September 14, 2025, at Kunstmuseum Moritzburg Halle (Saale). Internationally active artists and collectives are invited to develop new works during a residency in Saxony-Anhalt or to expand existing works site-specifically. Their projects explore the production conditions and emancipatory potential of today’s agricultural practices while addressing societal issues and challenges that led to the Peasants' War 500 years ago—many of which remain relevant in different societies worldwide today.

For selected commemorative sites in the Mansfeld-Südharz district, artistic landmarks will be created that will endure beyond the anniversary year.

From May 22 to June 3, the Werkleitz Festival 2025 will respond to the exhibition project Planetary Peasants with artistic interventions, a film program, and a symposium.

Participating artists and collectives:
Lara Almarcegui (ES/NL)
Anca Benera & Arnold Estefán (RO/AT)
Mabe Bethônico (BR/CH)
Enzo Camacho (PH/DE) & Ami Lien (US)
Tega Brain (AU/US) & Sam Lavigne (US)
Viktor Brim (DE)
Liu Chuang (CN)
Chto Delat (RU/DE)
Alice Creischer & Andreas Siekmann (DE)
Fernando García-Dory & INLAND (ES)
Gauri Gill & Rajesh Vangad (IN)
Olivier Guesselé-Garai (FR/DE)
Tamás Kaszás (HU)
Luisa Keintzel (DE)
Yelta Köm (TR/DE)
Ulrike Kuschel (DE)
Lutz & Guggisberg (CH)
Antje Majewski (DE)
Edgardo Navarro (MX/DE)
Ilona Németh (HU/SK)
Åsa Sonjasdotter (SE/DE) & Daniela Zambrano Almidòn (PE/DE)
Iza Tarasewicz (PL)
Total Refusal, Sarah Fichtinger & Nikola Supukovic (AT)
Elske Rosenfeld (DE)
Dread Scott (US)
Mikołaj Sobczak (PL/DE)
Helena Uambembe & Lindokuhle Nkosi (ZA)
Michael Wang (US)
Waman Wasi (PE)