There is No River Without Sources

In the organizer's words:

On April 4, the exhibition «There is No River Without Sources» will open at PAKD Gallery (An d. Mole 9, 10317 Berlin), featuring works by 11 Belarusian artists from 8 countries. This unique project, created as part of the ARSIF Artistic Research Laboratory, explores Belarusian identity in the context of emigration, political pressure, and cultural transformation.

The exhibition offers viewers a profound look at the phenomenon of identity in conditions of exile, historical Russification, and cultural shifts. Belarusian artists and designers present a fresh perspective on personal and national self-identification. Their works are a way to reflect on fragmented and imposed notions of Belarusianness, reinterpret cultural heritage, and create a new lens through which to perceive Belarus in the world. The Laboratory brought together participants from the Netherlands, Italy, Poland, Estonia, the Czech Republic, Germany, Lithuania, and Belarus.

«Art is not only a mirror reflecting reality but also a window through which we can see alternative paths. This exhibition allows us to see Belarus not as a country confined to specific frameworks but as a culture that continues to live and develop, no matter where its bearers find themselves,» says Elena Rabkina, curator of the exhibition and founder of the Artistic Research Laboratory.

The project raises important questions: What does it mean to be Belarusian today? How do history and modernity shape our culture? Can art become a tool for reclaiming and reimagining national identity?

The title of the exhibition, «There is No River Without Sources,» refers to the idea of collective memory and cultural heritage, emphasizing the importance of origins—both cultural and personal. A river flowing far from its source still remains connected to it.

The project is supported by Razam e.V., the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa), and the Alexander Rave Foundation.

The exhibition will be held in Berlin from April 4 to 6. The opening will take place on April 4 at 19:00 at PAKD Gallery (An d. Mole 9, 10317 Berlin).