PURE Grains of Salt

Art show by internationally known conceptual artist Haninga Thiel with the topic Salt. This show is dedicated to indigenous peoples who are still following their old ways, by gathering salt from their sacred salt lakes.

Salt, an everyday substance and one of the simplest molecules in nature, has played an indispensable role throughout the history of humanity. It has shaped civilization, conferred status, has influenced and affected wars, cultures, governments, religions, societies and economies.

Salt's ability to preserve and sustain life has made it to a powerful and enduring metaphorical symbol in many religions. It had been used in magical charms, and the laborious harvesting of salt, in many cultures is at the same time a ritual with certain regulations.

The show is not only visual representation of a seemingly mundane everyday issue; it also raises awareness. Thiel dedicated this exhibit to indigenous peoples who still follow their old ways by harvesting salt from their sacred salt lakes, against many obstacles.

Thiel's work can be described as conceptual installation art. She comments upon ethnic, social, environmental, and political narratives, using empiric methods for the realization of her work. That has absolutely to do with inquisitiveness, play, gathering, and classifying. In all closeness to this discourse, her installations and ensembles of found objects, preparations, implements, and text, are one thing exactly not: a scientific or ethnic collection, or part of a salt museum. The symbolized staging rather leads to poetic information in a sensuous and aggressive way, investing the subject with an element of transcendence.