In the expansive space of the former train station, Hamburger Bahnhof, an impressive installation by Lithuanian artist Lina Lapelytė has taken shape. Titled "We Make Years Out of Hours," this innovative project features a staggering 400,000 wooden cubes, inviting visitors to engage in the creative process by constructing their own structures using these 10-centimeter blocks crafted from pine and spruce.
Lapelytė, known for her unique blend of sound, performance, and collaborative artistry, emphasizes the importance of collective creativity and caretaking in her works. This installation continues her exploration of shared authorship, encouraging participants to rethink and reshape existing forms in a communal setting.
The experience is further enriched by a series of weekly performances on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, showcasing a libretto composed of contributions from 15 diverse writers. Notable names include Vietnamese-American poet Ocean Vuong, Lebanese-American painter Etel Adnan, Iranian filmmaker Forugh Farrokhzad, and Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. These performances, themed around community, love, and loss, add another layer of depth to the installation, fostering a space for reflection on agency and hope.
"We Make Years Out of Hours" officially opens on May 1 and will be on display until January 10, 2027, in Berlin. This initiative not only showcases Lapelytė's artistic vision but also emphasizes the potential of art to unite people and inspire collaborative efforts towards a brighter future.
