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DER GREIF
GUEST ROOM
in collaboration
with Jessica Backhaus
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_9-Slide_001Artboard-07-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_13-Slide_001Artboard-10-576x1024.jpg)
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![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_11-Slide_001Artboard-08B-576x1024.jpg)
DER GREIF
GUEST ROOM
in collaboration
with Jessica Backhaus
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_9-Slide_001Artboard-07-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_13-Slide_001Artboard-10-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_14-Slide_001Artboard-11-576x1024.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_15-Slide_001Artboard-12-576x1024.jpg)
Early in 2020, Der Greif (an organization promoting contemporary photography) invited me to curate the May edition of ‘Guest Room’ – a monthly online exhibition with open submissions from Der Greif’s community of thousands of image-makers around the globe.
‘Guest Room’ is built around collaboration and I asked Jessica
Backhaus, a distinguished voice in contemporary photography,
to partner with me. I was attracted by the purity in her work, her experimentation and adventurous spirit. Jessica selected a quote by the influential postwar artist and theorist Joseph Beuys as the theme for the exhibition: “Wer Nicht Denken Will Fliegt Raus.”
(Who is Unwilling to Think is Dismissed).
She chose it for its radicalism and relevance in these times of post-truth politics. By the time the online exhibition launched, everything had changed. We were in the midst of a global pandemic and most of the world was in lockdown – in this context, Beuys’ words resonated stronger than ever.
I began delving into links between Backhaus and Beuys’ ideologies, and found a unifying thread in how their art can be seen as a “conscious act”, inseparable from everyday life. This led to a desire to bring Jessica’s work into the curation. In the last two weeks alongside the Open Call, Jessica created a series of images responding to Joseph Beuys, made in ‘Confinement in Berlin’.
![Joseph Beuys, “Wer Nicht Denken Will Fliegt Raus” Joseph Beuys, “Wer Nicht Denken Will Fliegt Raus (Who is Unwilling to Think is Dismissed)”, 1977](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_BEUYSJ004_07_copy3.jpeg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_BEUYSJ004_07_copy3.jpeg)
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“Wer Nicht Denken Fliegt Raus.”
(Who is Unwilling to Think is Dismissed)
_ theme for exhibition,
quote by joseph beuys
MAY 21, 2020
![Kai-Uwe Gundlach, Looking At Things,Hamburg Don't look at me look at this](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Kai-Uwe-Gundlach-–-Looking-At-Things-Looking-At-Things.jpeg)
![Don't look at me look at this](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Kai-Uwe-Gundlach-–-Looking-At-Things-Looking-At-Things.jpeg)
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![Kai-Uwe Gundlach, In The Cage, Auckland Kai-Uwe Gundlach, In The Cage, Auckland, NZL, 2019](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0018_Der_greif_Kai-Uwe-Gundlach-–-Looking-At-Things-In-The-Cage.png)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Kai-Uwe-Gundlach-–-Looking-At-Things-In-The-Cage-e1697617710730.jpeg)
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![Jessica Backhaus, Key Jessica Backhaus, Key, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12.-key_2020-e1698177879872.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/12.-key_2020-e1698177879872.jpg)
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MAY 20, 2020
![Thirza Schaap, Suck, Cape Town, ZAF Thirza-Schaap-–-Plastic-Ocean-Suck.](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Thirza-Schaap-–-Plastic-Ocean-Suck.jpeg)
![Thirza-Schaap-–-Plastic-Ocean-Suck.](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Thirza-Schaap-–-Plastic-Ocean-Suck.jpeg)
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![Thirza Schaap, Joseph R. Webb, Zentih 1, Pennsylvania Thirza Schaap, Joseph R. Webb, Zentih 1, Pennsylvania, USA, 2019](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Joseph-R-Webb-–-Found-Forms-Zenith-1.jpeg)
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MAY 19, 2020
![Mircea Sorin Albutiu, How long do we have to wait? Mircea Sorin Albutiu, How long do we have to wait?, Leiria, PRT, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Mircea-Sorin-Albutiu-how-long-do-we-have-to-wait.jpeg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Mircea-Sorin-Albutiu-how-long-do-we-have-to-wait.jpeg)
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![Abhishek Rajaram Khedekar, DAPOLI 04, Maharastra Abhishek Rajaram Khedekar, DAPOLI 04, Maharastra, IND, 2018](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Abhishek-Rajaram-Khedekar-–-DAPOLI-32.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Abhishek-Rajaram-Khedekar-–-DAPOLI-32.jpg)
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![Till Cremer, Untitled, from the series ‘Da ist’, Laboratorium, Braunschweig Till Cremer, Untitled, (from the series 'Da ist'), Laboratorium, Braunschweig, DEU, 1997/2019](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0002_Der_greif_Till-Cremer-–-Da-ist-There-is.png)
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MAY 18, 2020
![Jessica Backhaus, Lemons, 2020 (from the series ‘Confinement in Berlin’) Jessica Backhaus, Lemons, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/13.-lemons_2020.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/13.-lemons_2020.jpg)
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![Facundo Pires, set, Buenos Aires Facundo Pires, set, Buenos Aires, ARG, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Facundo-Pires-–-Strange-days-set.jpeg)
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MAY 17, 2020
![Simon Freund, Klasse Pitz, Akademie der Bildenden Künste München Simon Freund, Klasse Pitz, Akademie der Bildenden Künste München, DEU, 2018](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Simon-Freund-–-Klasse-Pitz.jpeg)
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![Joseph R. Webb, Scrim, Oregon Joseph R. Webb, Scrim, Oregon, USA, 2016](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Joseph-R-Webb-–-Found-Forms-Scrim.jpeg)
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![Alexis Vasilikos, A Sense of Space (3), Athens Alexis Vasilikos, A Sense of Space (3), Athens, GRC, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0026_Der_greif_Alexis-Vasilikos-–-A-Sense-of-Space-3.png)
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“There is something which is prior to thinking, although we rarely recognize it. The space in which thoughts manifest.”
_ ALEXIS VASILIKOS (GREECE, 2020), IN RESPONSE TO THE THEME
MAY 16, 2020
![Joseph R. Webb, Ice Flow, Pennsylvania Joseph R. Webb, Ice Flow, Pennsylvania, USA, 2015](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Joseph-R-Webb-–-Found-Forms-Ice-Flow.jpeg)
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![Laura A Noel, Styrofoam, Atlanta Laura A Noel, Styrofoam, Atlanta, GA, USA](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Laura-A-Noel-–-Negate-Styrofoam-USA.jpeg)
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![Jessica Backhaus, Puzzle Jessica Backhaus, Puzzle, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/11.-puzzle_2020.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/11.-puzzle_2020.jpg)
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MAY 15, 2020
![Daniel John Bracken, The Fall, London Daniel John Bracken, The Fall, London, GBR, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0020_Der_greif_Daniel-John-Bracken-–-Its-Safe-Behind-the-Glass-The-Fall-2020.png)
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![Kai-Uwe Gundlach, Watering, Grasse Kai-Uwe Gundlach, Watering, Grasse, FRA, 2018](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Kai-Uwe-Gundlach-–-Looking-At-Things-Watering.jpeg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0017_Der_greif_Kai-Uwe-Gundlach-–-Looking-At-Things-Watering.png)
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MAY 14, 2020
![Jessica Backhaus, Butter Jessica Backhaus, Butter, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/6.-butter_2020.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/6.-butter_2020.jpg)
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![Jessica Backhaus, Chairs Jessica Backhaus, Chairs, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/7.-chairs_2020.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/7.-chairs_2020.jpg)
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MAY 13, 2020
![Vasilis Nikolopoulos, Covid19: An update from Amsterdam Vasilis Nikolopoulos, Covid19: An update from Amsterdam, NLD, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0010_Der_greif_nkl-–-Covid19-An-update-from-Amsterdam-7.png)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0010_Der_greif_nkl-–-Covid19-An-update-from-Amsterdam-7.png)
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![Melissa Boucher, Dessous, Aubervilliers Melissa Boucher, Dessous, Aubervilliers, FRA, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0013_Der_greif_Melissa-Boucher-–-La-lumiere-change-.-Light-changes-.-Dessous-e1706646543912.png)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0013_Der_greif_Melissa-Boucher-–-La-lumiere-change-.-Light-changes-.-Dessous-e1706646543912.png)
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![Vasilis Nikolopoulos, Covid19: An update from Amsterdam Vasilis Nikolopoulos, Covid19: An update from Amsterdam, NLD, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_nkl-–-Covid19-An-update-from-Amsterdam.jpeg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_nkl-–-Covid19-An-update-from-Amsterdam.jpeg)
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MAY 12, 2020
![Jessica Backhaus, Bread Jessica Backhaus, Bread, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/5.-bread_2020.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/5.-bread_2020.jpg)
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![Facundo Pires, nunca serás pan, Buenos Aires Facundo Pires, Nunca serás pan, Buenos Aires, ARG, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Facundo-Pires-–-Strange-days-nunca-seras-pan.jpeg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Facundo-Pires-–-Strange-days-nunca-seras-pan.jpeg)
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![Robin Cracknell, Prussian Blue, London Robin Cracknell, Prussian Blue, London, GRB, 2016](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0007_Der_greif_Robin-Cracknell-–-Notebooks-Prussian-Blue.png)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0007_Der_greif_Robin-Cracknell-–-Notebooks-Prussian-Blue.png)
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“During the days in quarantine, unable to go to my study, the discards of everyday objects of consumption manifest properties that previously seemed invisible to me.”
_ FACUNDO PIRES (ARGENTINA, 2020), IN RESPONSE TO THE THEME
MAY 11, 2020
![Sam Hutchinson, Situation with porous foam, Structure 3, Leeds Sam Hutchinson, Situation with porous foam, Structure 3, Leeds, GBR, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Sam-Hutchinson-–-Sculptural-Faith-Cloud-3000BC-Situation-with-porous-foam-structure-3.jpeg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Sam-Hutchinson-–-Sculptural-Faith-Cloud-3000BC-Situation-with-porous-foam-structure-3.jpeg)
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![Thirza Schaap, Southeaster, Cape Town Thirza Schaap, Southeaster, Cape Town, ZAF, 2018](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0003_Der_greif_Thirza-Schaap-–-Plastic-Ocean-Southeaster.png)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0003_Der_greif_Thirza-Schaap-–-Plastic-Ocean-Southeaster.png)
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MAY 10, 2020
![Ulrike Hannemann, Lagocephalus laevigatus, Kodak Professional Ultra Endura N, Cutting mat Ulrike Hannemann, Lagocephalus laevigatus, Kodak Professional Ultra Endura N, Cutting mat, Studio, DEU, 2016](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0000_Der_greif_Ulrike-Hannemann-–Fragmente-Lagocephalus-laevigatus-Kodak-Professional-Ultra-Endura-N-cutting-mat.png)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0000_Der_greif_Ulrike-Hannemann-–Fragmente-Lagocephalus-laevigatus-Kodak-Professional-Ultra-Endura-N-cutting-mat.png)
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![Jessica Backhaus, Blue Soap Jessica Backhaus, Blue Soap, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/4.-blue_soap_2020.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/4.-blue_soap_2020.jpg)
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![Anastasia Davis, Untitled (fold), Pittsburgh, PA Anastasia Davis, Untitled (fold), Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 2019](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0025_Der_greif_Anastasia-Davis-Untitled-fold-e1699091155475.png)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0025_Der_greif_Anastasia-Davis-Untitled-fold-e1699091155475.png)
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MAY 9, 2020
![Kamilla Bryzgalova, Life of plants Kamilla Bryzgalova, Life of plants, Moscow, RUS, 2019](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0016_Der_greif_Kamilla-Bryzgalova-–-Life-of-plants.png)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0016_Der_greif_Kamilla-Bryzgalova-–-Life-of-plants.png)
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![Anders Siddhartha Toustrup Darre, Let me out, Copenhagen Botanical Garden Anders Siddhartha Toustrup Darre, Let me out, Copenhagen, Botanical Garden, DK, 2017](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Anders-Siddhartha-Toustrup-Darre-Let-me-out.jpeg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Anders-Siddhartha-Toustrup-Darre-Let-me-out.jpeg)
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![Alexis Vasilikos, A Sense of Space (1), Lisbon Alexis Vasilikos, A Sense of Space (1), Lisbon, PRT, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Alexis-Vasilikos-–-A-Sense-of-Space-1.jpeg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Alexis-Vasilikos-–-A-Sense-of-Space-1.jpeg)
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“Can we be dismissed from our own life by our thoughts? Humans can achieve unimaginable things because of our ability to think. But at the same time, our thoughts can confine us.”
_ ANDERS S. TOUSTRUP DARRE (DENMARK, 2020), IN RESPONSE TO THE THEME
MAY 8, 2020
![Peter Hauser, Zollikerberg Peter Hauser, Zollikerberg, Zürich, CHE, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0009_Der_greif_Peter-Hauser-–-Time-of-tempest-Zollikerberg.png)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0009_Der_greif_Peter-Hauser-–-Time-of-tempest-Zollikerberg.png)
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![Michael Kruger, AR N.London (St Therese) Michael Kruger, AR N.London (St Therese), London, GBR, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0012_Der_greif_Michael-Kruger-–-Anderes-Ufer-AR-N.London-St-Therese.png)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0012_Der_greif_Michael-Kruger-–-Anderes-Ufer-AR-N.London-St-Therese.png)
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“The images are not solely reflections of found situations....
They depict the silence after the storm, the remnants of turbulent events and the search for beauty in destruction.”
_ PETER HAUSER (SWITZERLAND, 2020), IN RESPONSE TO THE THEME
MAY 7, 2020
![Louis De Belle, Cartographies 2, New York Louis De Belle, Cartographies 2, New York, USA](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Louis-De-Belle-–-Cartographies-2.jpeg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0014_Der_greif_Louis-De-Belle-–-Cartographies-2.png)
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![Jessica Backhaus, Telephone Jessica Backhaus, Telephone, 2020](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9.-telephone_2020.jpg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/9.-telephone_2020.jpg)
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![Ulrike Hannemann, Mamiya Film Magazine, Setting 2, Studio Ulrike Hannemann, Mamiya Film Magazine, Setting 2, Studio, DEU, 2018](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Ulrike-Hannemann-–-Fragmente-Mamiya-Film-Magazine-Setting-2.jpeg)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Ulrike-Hannemann-–-Fragmente-Mamiya-Film-Magazine-Setting-2.jpeg)
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