The unicorn - now on view!

The results of my artist residency in Darmstadt are now on view and can be visited at Atelierhaus LEW 1 in Darmstadt.

The residency took place in the frame of the project Re-Negotiating Space, a series of dialogues and interventions curated by Lukas Einsele (Kultur einer Digitalstadt e.V.) and Jan A. Eckert and is part of the official World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 (Design for Democracy: Atmospheres for a better life). The residency was made possible by #DarmstädterTagederFotografie.

During my stay I developed the photographic series "Re-Negotiating Space / Unicorn" where the urban space of Darmstadt is understood as a site of ongoing negotiation processes. Questions concerning the self conception of humans in relation to nature intersect with ecological necessities, while at the same time divergent visions within the urban community regarding the use of public space stand in tension with the city’s planning and political interests. I responded to this through a performative intervention in the urban environment by inserting myself in a unicorn costume at selected locations throughout Darmstadt. The figure functioned as a deliberately introduced moment of irritation that shifts habitual modes of perception and reveals both constructed notions of nature and concepts of use within the urban context.

The project was developed in cooperation with Darmstadt based photographer Andreas Zierhut.

Exhibition:
Swaantje Güntzel: Re-Negotiating Space / Unicorn, 24.4. - 3.5.2026
Opening hours: TUE – FRI, 2 - 6 p.m. SAT – SUN 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Atelierhaus LEW 1
Ludwig-Engel-Weg 1
64287 Darmstadt

[Swaantje Güntzel, Re-Negotiating Space / Unicorn / City-Ring, 2026, Print on Hahnemühle baryta paper, 30 x 45 cm]

Foto: Andreas Zierhut



#art #photography #fotografie #artistinresidence #darmstadt #conceptualart #konzeptkunst #andreaszierhut #wdc2026 #wdc #einhorn #unicorn #rns #renegotiatingspace #lukaseinsele #janeckert

Sometimes it’s the small details. Like a #unicorn traffic light. #einhorn

Just the metal unicorn.
🤘🦄
#KätToon #Metal #unicorn #Metalhead #Einhorn #MetalMusik #MetalMusic

Ein magischer Abend in der Natur! Auf dem Holzschild steht: „TAG DES EINHORNS - Heute darf die Fantasie zuerst gehen“. Kinder sitzen in der blühenden Wiese und zeichnen, während ein leuchtendes Einhorn am Horizont erscheint. Ein Zettel erinnert sanft: „Manchmal sieht man nur, wenn man glaubt.“ Eine wunderbar ruhige Szene, die pure Poesie und Entschleunigung ausstrahlt. Perfekt als liebevolle Grußkarte für alle Träumer! KI Illustration im ZÖFT Stil.
#KIKunst #ZÖFT #Einhorn #Fantasie

Re-Negotiating Space (Dialogues for Urban Ecological Democracy)
Start of dialogue series & opening of my exhibition

On April 18th, 2026 the dialogue series Re-Negotiating Space will be kicked off at the studio of LEW 1 in Darmstadt. I have been an Artist-in-Residence in the frame of Re-Negotiating Space, hosted by #DarmstädterTagederFotografie for the last weeks and will be presenting the results of my stay the same day. The dialogue session starts at 2 p.m., the opening of the exhibition is scheduled for 7 p.m..

More information: https://re-negotiating.space/rns1

Re-Negotiating Space is a series of dialogues, interactions, and interventions exploring democratic instruments for renegotiating urban spaces between human and planetary needs in Darmstadt. The series is curated by Lukas Einsele (Kultur einer Digitalstadt e.V.) and Jan A. Eckert, PhD and is part of the official World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026 (Design for Democracy: Atmospheres for a better life).

In the frame of my residency I cooperated with the Darmstadt based photographer Andreas Zierhut to realize the series “Re-Negotiating Space / Unicorn”, a series where the urban space of Darmstadt is conceived as a site of ongoing processes of negotiation. Questions concerning the self-conception of the human in relation to nature intersect here with ecological imperatives, while at the same time divergent visions within urban society regarding the use of public space stand in tension with the city’s planning and political interests. I respond through a performative intervention in the urban environment, inscribing myself into these sites by appearing in a unicorn costume.

Videostill Making of: Albrecht Haag

#art #conceptualart #contemporaryart #renegotiatingspace #darmstadt #kultureinerdigitalstadt #neuekünstlerkolonie #fotografie #photography #einhorn #unicorn #konzeptkunst #andreaszierhut #lukaseinsele #janeckert #artistinresidence #wdc2026 #worlddesigncapitalfrankfurt2026 #ked #hessen

Unsere Kommunalhymne war im Radio zu hören. 🏳️🦄🫡 🎶Au s #Einhorn euses Wappetier luegt alli luschtig a.🎶

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:umckwvgdvtagvsa3ppjgomxz/post/3mij4lby3x22c

#einhorn #unicorn #licorne