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Practices and Politics of Lying Down

Horizontal is an interdisciplinary festival at the intersection of art and research that explores the reclining body and the horizontal position as a cultural, political, and aesthetic practice.

The two-day festival, held in the ruins of the lecture hall at Berlin’s Museum of the History of Medicine, accompanies the special exhibition “Horizontal—The Hospital Bed and the World from a Reclining Position” with performances, talks, workshops, and participatory formats.

Featuring contributions by Black Power Naps, Raquel Meseguer Zafe, Ania Nowak, Harold Offeh, Anajara Amarante, Pia Achternkamp, and many others.

Program

10:30 a.m. | Hörsaalruine

Arrival & Warm-up

11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Lecture Hall Ruins

Anajara Laisa Amarante – Horizontal Bodies

Workshop in English (free of charge)

Max. 25 participants

Register at: museum@charite.de

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

“Horizontal – The Hospital Bed and the World from a Lying Position”

  • Guided tour of the exhibition in German
  • Max. 25 people
  • Registration in the museum foyer

12:30–2:00 p.m. | Break

The relaxation room and the special exhibition “Horizontal” are open during the break.

2:00–2:30 p.m. | Lecture Hall Ruins

Monika Ankele and Nicole Schuchardt – Welcome & Introduction

3:00–5:00 p.m. | Public Space (MuseumsMeileMitte)

  • Raquel Meseguer Zafe & T.B.A. – If We Could Rest Awhile
  • Collective action in the public space of the MuseumsMeileMitte in English
  • Participation in the workshop and the collective action in public space includes free admission to the museum as well as to both days of the festival.
  • Register at: museum@charite.de

5:00–5:30 p.m. | Break

The relaxation room and the special exhibition “Horizontal” are open during the break.

5:30–7:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall Ruins

Thinking and Creating from the Sickbed

  • A discussion in English with Anajara Amarante (artist), Katharina Ludwig (author, poet, artist), and other guests.
  • Moderator: Nora Heidorn (curator and scholar)

7:00–8:00 p.m. | Break

The relaxation room and the special exhibition “Horizontal” will be open during the break.

8:00–9:00 p.m. | Lecture Hall Ruins

Black Power Naps (Navild Acosta and Shadow Fannie Sosa with guest performer Yocheved Zenaida-Cohen) – Bedside Manner

  • Performance (English)

Museum and relaxation room hours: 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.

Festival Team

  • Monika Ankele, Co-Curator
  • Nicole Schuchardt, Co-Curator
  • Isabel Coleman, Production Manager
  • Claes Schwennen, Technical Director

Set Design (Ruined Lecture Hall)

  • In collaboration with students from the Stage Design class at the Berlin University of the Arts (Nwakoso Edozien, An Klepel, Yulei Yang, Pegah Zamaninematsara)
  • Directed by: Janina Audick and Visiting Professor Meika Dresenkamp

The festival is funded by a Science × Media Tandem program of the Charité Foundation and supported by the British Council.

Additional information
Dates
September 2026
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