We often think of art as a singular creative process, but Cornelia Sollfrank proves the opposite. Her works are not the product of a single mind but of a network of relationships and collective solidarity built over years. Awarded the HAP Grieshaber Prize, Sollfrank designs her Berlin exhibition with this philosophy in mind. The exhibition is not only a showcase of her individual works but also a tribute to the “world” that made them possible.
Since the early days of the World Wide Web in the 1990s, Sollfrank has used digital media to question aesthetic categories and experiment with new forms of political participation, establishing herself as a pioneer of net art. Her academic work and artistic practice engage with topics such as digital cultures, critical authorship, techno-feminist theory, and data performances. Her multi-part work This is not by me challenges notions of copyright and originality in the digital age. Centered on Warhol’s iconic flowers, this piece employs what Sollfrank calls “performative copyright infringement,” a provocative approach that underscores the power of art.
Sollfrank is recognized not only for her works but also for her collaborations with collectives like frauen-und-technik and groups like #purplenoise. In this exhibition, she emphasizes the importance of collaboration by including 14 artists from her network through Augmented Reality (AR) technology, creating a modern example of art activism that transcends physical boundaries by merging the digital with reality.
Like the artist herself, this exhibition is a manifesto of solidarity. In an era when support for art and culture is waning, Sollfrank celebrates art’s resilience. She states, “We neither want to complain nor fear. We celebrate what we create and come together to stand against any culture-hostile policies,” delivering a message of resistance to both the art community and audiences.
Exhibition Details:
Venue: Deutscher Künstlerbund, Berlin
Date: On view until November 21, 2025
