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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)
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![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2024.03.07-Diana-Poole-CURATION-Headers-Mobile_04-1024x1024.jpg)
DER GREIF
GUEST ROOM
in collaboration
with Jessica Backhaus
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’.
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_BEUYSJ004_07_copy3-1024x971.jpeg)
“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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Kai-Uwe Gundlach
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Kai-Uwe Gundlach
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Jessica Backhaus
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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Thirza Schaap
![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)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Joseph-R-Webb-–-Found-Forms-Zenith-1.jpeg)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Thirza Schaap
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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Mircea Sorin Albutiu
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Abhishek Rajaram Khedekar
![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)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0002_Der_greif_Till-Cremer-–-Da-ist-There-is.png)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Till Cremer
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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Jessica Backhaus
![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)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0019_Der_greif_Facundo-Pires-–-Strange-days-set.png)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Facundo Pires
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)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0005_Der_greif_Simon-Freund-–-Klasse-Pitz.png)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Simon Freund
![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)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Joseph-R-Webb-–-Found-Forms-Scrim.jpeg)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Joseph R. Webb
![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)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0026_Der_greif_Alexis-Vasilikos-–-A-Sense-of-Space-3.png)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Alexis Vasilikos
“There is something which is prior to thinking, although we rarely recognize it. The space in which thoughts manifest.”
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)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Joseph-R-Webb-–-Found-Forms-Ice-Flow.jpeg)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Joseph R. Webb
![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)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Der_greif_Laura-A-Noel-–-Negate-Styrofoam-USA.jpeg)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Laura A Noel
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Jessica Backhaus
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)
![](https://dianapoole.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/0020_Der_greif_Daniel-John-Bracken-–-Its-Safe-Behind-the-Glass-The-Fall-2020.png)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Daniel John Bracken
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Kai-Uwe Gundlach
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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Jessica Backhaus
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Jessica Backhaus
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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Vasilis Nikolopoulos
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Melissa Boucher
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Vasilis Nikolopoulos
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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Jessica Backhaus
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Facundo Pires
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Robin Cracknell
“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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Sam Hutchinson
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Thirza Schaap
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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Ulrike Hannemann
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Jessica Backhaus
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Anastasia Davis
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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Kamilla Bryzgalova
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Anders Siddhartha Toustrup Darre
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Alexis Vasilikos
“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.”
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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Peter Hauser
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Michael Kruger
“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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Louis De Belle
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Jessica Backhaus
![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)
Courtesy of Der Greif, © Ulrike Hannemann