hands on nails – we are open: turning the temporary bauhaus-archiv into a discourse salon

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. Consequently, nail art finds itself situated between a service and an art form, between difficult working conditions and potential self-empowerment. “Hands on Nails” addresses these tensions, presents various perspectives and puts them up for discussion.

With the screening of four short films, the event “Context:Society” offered perspectives regarding societal aspects around nail art and nail studios.

The Bauhaus women of long ago intentionally wore practical – even androgynously plain-looking – clothing as if this might help them assert themselves better in a male-dominated world. In contrast, the protagonists of today’s nail scene appear determined to reclaim their femininity in an over-the-top manner. Impractical, kitschy, glittering and long, their glued-on and sometimes even bedangled nails beg the question of the practicability of design (or art). In collaboration with their customers, they create works of art which everyday life must somehow accommodate.

“hands on nails” concluded with the event “Starting point:Exploration” which created ties to supposedly unrelated areas such as nature, technology and music.