Event archive
2021
Exhibition: 6 Friedberg-Chicago
6 Friedberg-Chicago, the first institutional solo exhibition by German-American artist James Gregory Atkinson (Villa Aurora Fellow 2016), illuminates a part of African-American-German history on a personal, social, and political level. In the exhibition, the artist presents his new film of the same name, which was shot at Ray Barracks, a former US Army Base in Friedberg. It was made in collaboration with dancer and choreographer Josh Johnson and harpist and singer Ahya Simone, among others. The exhibition also presents a non-linear archive dealing with the history of Black soldiers in Germany and their descendants, which Atkinson developed together with Eric Otieno (sociologist and political scientist) and Mearg Negusse (art historian).
Reading and Conversation: I've been Walking
Author and photographer Janet Sternburg will present her newest publication I’ve Been Walking (Distanz 2021), a collection of photographs taken as she walked through Los Angeles in 2020, when the city was on lockdown.
The Regime of the Charlatan
Literary scholar Veronika Fuechtner in conversation with Thomas Mann Fellow Claus Leggewie. Moderated by Alexandra Lieben.
Exhibition: all the lonely people
L.A./Berlin, November 16, 2021 – To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Villa Aurora, VATMH (Villa Aurora & Thomas Mann House) and LAXART present the exhibition “all the lonely people” at LAXART.
Beyond the Virgin Land
Novelist Alexandra Kleeman in conversation with Thomas Mann Fellow Heike Paul.
Meet The Artists Reception
Welcoming Reception for our current artists in residence Anna Sofie Hartmann (film), Isabelle Stever (film), Ulu Braun (film) and Sarah Szczesny (visual arts).
On Difference, Inclusion and Innovation: Decoding the Myths of Silicon Valley
Discussion with Thomas Mann Fellow Magdalena Kröner, literary scholar Adrian Daub and entrepreneur Mia Dand.
"Arten, der Zeit die Stirn zu bieten" - Lion Feuchtwanger and Heinrich Mann
A symposion with Anne Hartmann, Wolfgang Klein and Hans Hartje. Moderated by Tanja Kinkel. With welcoming remarks by Edgar Feuchtwanger.
Symposium - The Sanctuary. Art and Literature from Exile and Hermitage, Nov. 16
After the kick off to our symposium “The Sanctuary. Art and Literature from Exile and Hermitage" on November 6th, we are continuing the series of lectures and discussions online.
Symposium - The Sanctuary. Art and Literature from Exile and Hermitage, Nov. 15
After the kick off to our symposium “The Sanctuary. Art and Literature from Exile and Hermitage" on November 6th, we are continuing the series of lectures and discussions online.
Symposium - The Sanctuary. Art and Literature from Exile and Hermitage, Nov. 10
After the kick off to our symposium “The Sanctuary. Art and Literature from Exile and Hermitage" on November 6th, we are continuing the series of lectures and discussions online.
Ceremony - The Sanctuary. Art and Literature from Exile and Hermitage
On November 6, we will finally be able to celebrate the Villa’s 25th anniversary in-person. The event featuring Hanno Leichtmann (Villa Aurora composer-in-residence 2018), Kevin Vennemann (Villa Aurora writer-in-residence 2008), and Stefan Keppler-Tasaki (Thomas Mann Fellow 2019) will also kick off our symposium “The Sanctuary. Art and Literature from Exile and Hermitage.” We could not be more excited to reconnect with those who went with us through thick and thin and introduce new friends to our program.
Forum Demokratie: „Democracy will win“? Dangers for Democracy
with Frido Mann, Manfred Görtemaker, Hedwig Richter and Jürgen Trittin
Moderated by Michaela Kolster
By invitation only / Start: 7 p.m. / Admission: 6 p.m. / 3G rules apply
Watch the television broadcast on Phoenix on November 6 and November 28 at 1 p.m. (CET)
Due to the coalition negotiations starting at the Foreign Office, we had to move the Forum Demokratie to the Urania at short notice.
New venue: Urania, Kleist-Saal, An der Urania 17, 10787 Berlin
The Return of Thomas Mann's Piano – Inauguration by Igor Levit
Celebration and concert with Igor Levit, Frido Mann and Minister of State Michelle Müntefering. Moderated by Alex Ross.
The End of Crises? Political Reflections after the German Election
Panel Discussion with Karen Alter, Simone Chambers, Rainer Forst, Christoph Möllers and Michael Zürn. Moderated by Alexandra Lieben.
Readings, Concerts and Performances: „all the lonely people“
With Planningtorock, Public Possessions, Olaf Nicolai, Tanja Dückers, Maren Kames, Senthuran Varatharajah, Monika Rinck, Yoko Tawada and Steffi Weismann.
Exhibition and event series: “all the lonely people”
An exhibition with Saâdane Afif, Louisa Clement, Lauren Halsey, Susan Philipsz, Anri Sala, April Street, Thomas Struth, Kaari Upson, Andrea Zittel & many more
MARX. A film by Olaf Nicolai – 24-Hour-Screening
A 24-hour-screening in 17 institutions around the world
"The Magician": Reading and Conversation
Reading by Colm Tóibín and conversation with Friedhelm Marx in the garden of the Thomas Mann House
Sabine Scho und Matthias Holtmann: The Origin of Values – Prolog
"The Origin of Values" begins in the Pantanal in Brazil, one of the largest contiguous inland wetlands on earth.
MEET THE ARTISTS
Please join us at Villa Aurora for our “Meet the Artists” Presentation and Reception.
Mask are required indoors. Please bring one of the following documents required for admittance: Proof of Vaccination OR Proof of Immunity OR Proof of a Negative COVID Test performed no earlier than 48 hours prior to event.
Last Days of Summer
With Antje Ravík Strubel, Florian Werner, Enis Maci and many more.
Über Rechte schreiben? Wie kann Literatur dem Populismus begegnen?
With Tanja Dückers (writer), Lukas Rietzschel (writer), Beate Tröger (literary critic) , Dr. Jan Wilm (writer and translator).
THE ARTISTS ARE PRESENT. Künstlerresidenzen im Kulturaustausch
A digital symposium of ADIR – Arbeitskreis Deutscher Internationaler Residenzprogramme
Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal
Haircuts & Social Justice: Three Generations from Los Angeles in Conversation
REMEMBERING THE EXILES: Salka Viertel
On her 132nd birthday, Villa Aurora pays homage to Austrian-American actor, screen writer, and activist Salka Viertel, the famous hostess at the center of the literary community of “Weimar on the Pacific”.
Everything will change. Narrating Extinction
An online conversation on species exctinction. With Ursula K. Heise, Mojib Latif, Randy Olson, Carla Reemtsma & Marten Persiel
Everything will change. Narrating Extinction
With Ursula K. Heise, Mojib Latif, Randy Olson, Carla Reemtsma & more
The City of Man: The Future of Multilateral Politics
CRYING IN THE WILDERNESS: A Tribute to George Floyd
Performed by renowned dancer/Chorographer David Roussève and trumpeter Daniel Rosenboom, this work of visual music honors the late George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement for social justice. Conceived by Patrick Scott, Artistic Director of Jacaranda Music, this visualization of James Newton’s “The Voice of One Crying in the Wilderness” trumpet solo is co-directed by Ben Caldwell, Director, KAOS Network, with camerawork by Wesley Groves, and additional music by James Tenney.
Reflections of a Nonpolitical Man
Weighing Moral Goods in Corona Politics
Leadership in the Arts or Failure is what it's all about!
Online discussion with Mischa Kuball, Lilian Haberer, Steven D. Lavine and Jörn Jacob Rohwer. Introduction: Heike Catherina Mertens / in English
Leadership in the Arts or Failure is what it's all about!
Online discussion with Mischa Kuball, Lilian Haberer, Steven D. Lavine, and Jörn Jacob Rohwer. Introduction: Heike Catherina Mertens
Leadership in the Arts or Failure is what it's all about!
With Mischa Kuball, Lilian Haberer, Steven D. Lavine & Jörn Jacob Rohwer.
Freiheit des Wortes – Where does it still apply?
Talk with Michelle Müntefering, H. C. Mertens, R. Nestmeyer, G. Hammash, Ç. Akyol, N. Al Essa, E. Meyomesse and Ş. Ş. Arınlı. Moderator Shelly Kupferberg.
Freiheit des Wortes – Where does it still apply?
With Michelle Müntefering, Heike Catherina Mertens, Ghassan Hammash, Nahed Al Essa & more.
Survivors of the Book Burning
free digital offering in remembrance of the book burning in 1933
Time's Up - Female Filmmakers in Hollywood
In place of our annual Pre Oscar® Reception we are talking with three female filmmakers about their experiences in the European and American film business.
"Last Letters: The Prison Correspondence between Helmut James and Freya von Moltke"
Radical Diversity: Discussion Series with Mohamed Amjahid & Max Czollek (New York)
Europeans in Exile: Thomas Mann’s L.A. | Capstone Seminar at UCLA
This Spring Quarter, the Digital Humanities Department at the University of California Los Angeles and the Thomas Mann House are offering a seminar on European exile in California. It is based on the ongoing online series Mann's L.A.
Reading and Discussion with Alexis Landau and Michaela Ullmann
Alexis Landau is going to read from her new novel "Those Who Are Saved", followed by a conversation with Michaela Ullmann, Exile Studies Librarian, USC Feuchtwanger Memorial Library.
Radical Diversity: Discussion Series with Mohamed Amjahid & Max Czollek (San Francisco)
Virtual Villa Aurora Tour
We invite you to take a virtual tour through the Feuchtwangers' former residence in the hills of Pacific Palisades with Marta Feuchtwanger as your guide. Marta - with the help of the team of Villa Aurora Los Angeles and some special guests - will show you around the common and, for the first time, private rooms of the house!
Freedom from Fear
Freedom from Fear @ Gorki Theater
Radical Diversity: Discussion Series with Mohamed Amjahid & Max Czollek (Washington, DC)
“The Meanings of Democracy“ – Melissa Williams, Rainer Forst & Zhao Tingyang in Conversation
The Corona epidemic has brought not only a slowdown in many social processes, but also accelerated political change. Surveys show that a rapidly growing group of people already see China as the most important player in international relations. It is therefore of particular interest to better understand China's history of political ideas and to develop common ideas for a just global order.