Excess – Group Exhibition at Fotogalerie Friedrichshain
Excess
March 21th – May 10th 2024
Opening Event March 21th 7pm
Fotogalerie Friedrichshain
Helsingforser Pl. 1, 10243 Berlin
The road of excess leads to the palace of wisdom. – William Blake.
In many instances, excess is viewed in a negative light: whether it’s overstepping boundaries like exceeding the speed limit and risking fines, recklessly consuming resources like we do through deforestation and facing severe environmental consequences, or, when associated with pleasure, it often goes hand in hand with feelings of guilt and the potential of peril, or even death.
In our personal lives, excess can manifest as a means of self-harm or self-expression through both the body and the mind. It can be observed in overindulgence in food and alcohol, substance abuse, and even in mental illnesses that are characterized by an excess of emotions that society deems should be “regulated”. Within the realm of analogue photography, excess in light, movement, or exposure time is often considered a hindrance to achieving optimal results, and is regarded as a mistake.
The concept of excess is inherently relative to a norm. While some instances of excess demand our attention to prevent harm, others warrant questioning: who or what determines what is excessive and what aligns with the norm? When should it be respected, and when and how should it be scrutinized or challenged?
Excess can be perceived as a deviation or a problem, but for some, it represents a means of breaking free from societal norms, a pivotal step in one’s life, or a demand for increased freedom. Is it something to be restrained, or could it be the path to the “palace of wisdom”?