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How the short films were accessible throughout the runtime of the exhibition
© Konrad Langer

Context:Society – on the aspects around nail studios

#In Depth #onsite
von 
Carla Huttenloher
, 6 min reading time

“hands on nails – we are open” kicked off with the event “Context:Society” featuring a selection of short films highlighting the social aspects of nails and nail studios. Following the short film screening, researcher and activist Ayşe Güleç moderated a discussion between Phương Thúy Nguyễn (“Sorge 87”) and Verena Brakonier (“HÄNDE”). Visitors were cordially invited to participate. Bauhaus stories gives you access to the films, which you can watch here once again in the context of the project.


Thanh Nguyễn Phương | DE 2018 animation 10’
Film Still "Sorge 87"
© Thanh Nguyen

Sorge 87

“Sorge 87” is an animated, biographical, documentary film about working life in the textile industry of former East Germany. How does the current situation compare to that of the past, now that so many nail studios are operated by representatives of the Vietnamese community?

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For some, nail art represents emancipation from patriarchal structures and a celebration of feminist practice, while for many others, it is a physically demanding occupation performed under often precarious conditions.
Âni Võ | DE 2022 feature/drama 29‘
Still from "Stinkfrucht – Taste of Home"
© Meret Madoerin, HFF München

Stinkfrucht – Taste of Home

The feature film “Stinkfrucht – Taste of Home” casts a light on the negative aspects and power imbalances driven by social precarity, financial dependence and unchecked economic forces. What went wrong to give rise to such criminal structures within the nail branch? What responsibility should politics and society assume to combat them?

Content warning: sensitive content
The film contains images of violence. Without context, the film can reproduce racially charged stereotypes. It is recommended to also watch the other films presented.

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Verena Brakonier, Jivan Frenster, Greta Granderath | DE 2021 documentary 15’
Still from "HÄNDE"
© Verena Brakonier, Jivan Frenster, Greta Granderath

HÄNDE

The documentary film “HÄNDE” asks whether it’s possible to identify class background and class affiliation simply by looking at one’s hands: poverty, affluence, working conditions, lifestyles, access to money, culture…? The film urges us to think about social circumstances and discrimination, and to view hands in terms of the power dynamics of class and classism (classism is a form of discrimination based on one’s social background and/or social and economic position).

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nail art – between a service and an art form, between difficult working conditions and potential self-empowerment
Crystal Kayiza | USA 2019 documentary 7’
Still aus "See You Next Time"
© Crystal Kayza

See You Next Time

The evocative documentary film “See You Next Time” centres on encounters at the manicure table. Crystal Kayiza describes her film as a behind-the-scenes look at the intimate moments between a Chinese nail artist and her Black client in a Brooklyn nail salon. What do they share and what divides them?

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