The exhibition “SHELTER BONE” by Kirstin Burckhardt and Mario Asef was on view at the Künstlerhaus Göttingen from January 12 to February 23, 2025. Their ongoing artistic research project combines found objects, videos, natural materials, drawings, and sound to explore the ecological and social interconnections of protection and resilience in the context of the climate crisis. These thematic impulses formed the base for the art education project “Protection Zones and Places of the Future – We Share and Linger,” held over two weekends in March and April.

The multigenerational group “Come Together” from the Göttingen Community Foundation, which brings together people from diverse backgrounds, engaged in artistic activities to create their own safe havens and places of comfort. They were guided by Paula Sander, the head of art education, art therapist Fidelis Puchner, and sound artist Cat Woywod.

The group began by visiting the “SHELTER-BONE” exhibition. Using the “basket” method, the participants engaged with the works in a playful way, discussing the climate crisis, the relationship between humans and nature, and individual needs for protection. In conversation with the artists on site, they also reflected on physical sensations such as a sense of security or fear within the exhibition spaces.

The first workshop block focused on exploring sound perception: deep listening in the Botanical Garden, vocal experiments, and collaborative sound spaces led to an examination of the environment, personal perception, and the technical enhancement of hearing.
Over the following days, collective drawings of safe havens were created on a large roll of paper at the KAZ. Individually designed wooden boxes served as personal safe spaces for memories and meaningful objects.

Finally, under the guidance of an art therapist, the participants created clay sculptures in protective pairs—a process that focused on sensing, holding, and intuitive creation.

To conclude, an installation was set up at the KAZ using all the elements created: sound collages, clay sculptures, works on paper, and the designed boxes. The group decided for themselves which objects should remain visible or hidden. Th

e installation connected individual safe spaces into a shared experiential space before the participants took their works home.