Mischa Kuball’s “if walls could tell” Explores Public Art and Social Engagement

On August 22, 2024, conceptual artist Mischa Kuball will launch if walls could tell, a transnational project that challenges traditional notions of museums and public art. By installing symbolic museum walls in public spaces across Southeastern Europe, Kuball invites local inhabitants to actively participate in creating a collaborative artwork that captures the diverse cultural and urban expressions of each community.

The project unfolds in multiple cities and seeks to address fundamental social questions: Can civil society thrive without museums, and what is the role of these institutions in preserving cultural heritage for future generations? Kuball’s vision emphasizes that art should not be confined within the walls of museums but should serve as a bridge between institutions and the public. if walls could tell proposes that citizens are not passive consumers but rather political subjects with the potential to be co-authors of cultural narratives.

Inspired by John Dos Passos’ Manhattan Transfer (1925), the project uses the museum_transfer concept, where walls installed in public spaces return to museum venues marked by the environment and its people. These marks, or traces, reflect the vibrant interaction between citizens and their surroundings, allowing public art to resonate within institutional contexts.

Once back in the museum or gallery, the project culminates with panel discussions involving artists, curators, art historians, and theorists. These discussions will explore the themes of freedom of expression and participatory art, addressing the unique sociopolitical contexts of each location. The first panel will take place on September 12, 2024, near the future Ars Aevi Museum of Contemporary Art in Sarajevo, designed by Renzo Piano. The panel coincides with the groundbreaking ceremony of the museum, sparking a dialogue about plans for a Museum Quarter in Sarajevo.

Kuball’s project will also travel to cities like Bucharest, Skopje, and Ljubljana, replicating the installation and discussion format in each venue. It will conclude at the WELTKUNSTZIMMER in Düsseldorf in September 2025, where the final debate will engage all project partners in a comprehensive review of the impact of this participatory art form.

Curated by Zoran Erić of the Institute for Philosophy and Social Theory in Belgrade, if walls could tell aims to democratize art and foster dialogue across borders, transforming public spaces into platforms for creativity and critical reflection.