ESSEN.- Museum Folkwang is hosting the first museum exhibition of Dragana Bulut from May 17 to July 1. In the Cabinet of Happiness, the Berlin-based choreographer and performer Dragana Bulut examines the promises and methods of positive psychology. By appropriating various forms of coaching, she explores the questions behind the ideology of happiness today and the way in which the pressure of happiness choreographs our behaviour and affects the creation of subjectivity. What are the ways in which happiness becomes a commodity?

Visitors have an opportunity to join different coaching sessions, each with a different approach and aim. In the “Express” session, participants learn to relax in no time at all. In “Twist,” they can experience a completely new method of positive thinking and empathic feeling, possibly changing their life for the good. Or, in “Hedonimeter,” participants can literally observe how their level of happiness grows steadily by employing specific techniques. Anyone who knows and uses the right techniques will be happy, or that is the promise at least. Dragana Bulut is holding her sessions in English in rotation with German-speaking performer Helen Schröder. The underlying idea is not only to think about the boundless promises made by life coaches, but to experience these methods and its paradoxes.

This work continues Dragana Bulut’s interest in staging social choreographies. Her performances examine the way feelings, wishes and fears are commercialised. In her auction performance Pass It On, Bulut sells artworks to the public while praising and questioning their value at the same time, ultimately examining the promises the art market has to offer.

At Museum Folkwang from May 17 to July 1, Thursday through Sunday, Bulut offers different individual and group coaching sessions open to visitors. Simply register on-site.

With its short turn-around times and quick planning, the 6 ½ Weeks exhibition format aims to present art to the public in a straightforward and spontaneous manner. The exhibition space set aside for 6 ½ Weeks is located in the foyer of Museum Folkwang, and features the work of newly discovered artists or work relating to topical issues in six separate displays a year.

Upcoming at 6 ½ Weeks:
Kristina Berning (August 23–October 7, 2018)
Ektor Garcia (October 18–December 2, 2018)