With climate change comes the transformation of landscapes, the disruption of familiar ways of life—but also a curiosity about radical reordering. What landscapes lie ahead, and how do we want to meet them? Sinking Cities is an international research project. At the Weserburg, it now opens as an artistic training and research station, where children and adults alike can prepare physically and emotionally for the changes to their environment. Stine Hertel, Jan Rohwedder, and Daniel Dominguez Teruel invite visitors to envision rising sea levels and engage with the forces of water. Stories are gathered, knowledge is shared, and imagination is expanded.

In a performance and installation, Sinking Cities explores future urban coastal landscapes and the movement of water and sand. A sound installation captures the power of the waves through a bass speaker that sweeps across sand-based scenographies. Together with the audience, the three artists seek ways to confront nature’s forces, change, and farewell. They invite everyone to participate in transformative training and quiet contemplation—among sandbags.

This artistic project is part of the international research initiative Sinking Cities, a collaboration on climate transformation and cultural heritage by HafenCity University Hamburg, in partnership with the Research Institute for Sustainability (RIFS) Potsdam, Schwankhalle Bremen, Rujak Center for Urban Studies (Jakarta), and B’sarya for Arts (Alexandria). After installations in Alexandria and Jakarta, Bremen is the third station in this art–science collaboration.

About Rotterdam Presenta and Daniel Dominguez Teruel:
The performance platform Rotterdam Presenta, based in Düsseldorf, brings together international performance artists, choreographers, architects, and light and sound designers. The collective develops new formats for performance, research, and gathering. Currently, they are working on active landscapes and the open-source construction of their temporary, accessible rehearsal stage THE STUDIO.

Daniel Dominguez Teruel is a composer whose work addresses questions of (national) identity, division, and community. In recent years, he has focused increasingly on the human voice. His piece LOVESONG, which deconstructs the German national anthem musically, was presented at the 2022 Impulse Theater Festival, among others.

Fig.: Sinking Cities, Foto: Jan Rohwedder

The artist duo FORT—Alberta Niemann (*1982, Bremen) and Jenny Kropp (*1978, Frankfurt/Main)—connects art and everyday life in striking ways. With precisely chosen artistic strategies, they evoke stories of remarkable intensity. Their current exhibition FANTASY ISLAND features large-scale sculptures, enigmatic objects, and expansive installations across more than 800 m².

In conversation with curator Ingo Clauß, FORT offers insight into their practice. What inspires them? What societal role does art play for them? What is it like to work as a duo? The talk spans from their beginnings in Bremen to national and international projects, and delves into their newest works.

The evening concludes with the presentation of the exhibition catalogue (hardcover, 80 pages, 29 euros at the museum counter).

Part of the exhibition FORT. FANTASY ISLAND

Fig.: Portrait FORT (Jenny Kropp and Alberta Niemann), Photo: Emma Adler

On International Museum Day, visitors enjoy free admission to the Weserburg throughout the day. Additionally, there will be short guided tours in the exhibitions The Way We Are and FORT. FANTASY ISLAND, as well as a workshop with U.S. musician Dalton Harris.

Program:

11:30 AM
Short tour of FORT. FANTASY ISLAND
With Karin Puck

12:30 PM
Short tour of The Way We Are
With Karin Puck

2:30 PM, 3:15 PM, 4:15 PM, 5:00 PM
Acoustic Ready-Mades
Pop-up sound workshop on FORT. FANTASY ISLAND with Dalton Harris

Location: Project Space

Together with U.S. trombonist and sound artist Dalton Harris, participants explore the acoustic potential of found objects from the museum. Using a mixer, they create a soundscape for the exhibition, exploring the tones of heart-shaped balloons, store shelves, and shoe soles.

The workshop is open to all visitors and lasts approx. 20 minutes. Children under ten should be accompanied by an adult.

About Dalton Harris:
Dalton Harris is a trombonist and sound artist working with both modern and historical instruments. His work explores the intersections between art, technology, and everyday life—bringing everyday objects to life through sound. He has premiered over 50 works, composed soundtracks for media installations, and developed sound experiments between improvisation and composition. Currently Artist-in-Residence at Het Concreet (Tilburg, NL), he leads the youth ensemble SMusic21 in Bremen and regularly holds workshops and residencies—most recently at the Arts Lab of the University of New Mexico with the New Mexico Contemporary Ensemble, which he co-founded.

A pop-up art market, print-your-own stations, piano concerts, and short tours—during the Lange Nacht der Bremer Museen (Long Night of Bremen’s Museums) the Weserburg presents a lively, diverse program for all ages.

Program

6 pm–11 pm
Pop-up Art Market
Students from the University of the Arts Bremen offer small-edition items: from stickers to earrings and postcards—affordable and unique.

6 pm–10 pm:
Print Station: Cut Out & Print it!
With artist Sirma Kekeç
Get creative! Try your hand at relief printing with softcut, create your own artwork, and take it home—no prior experience needed!

6 pm–10 pm (hourly)
Short guided tours
Through current exhibitions with curators and art educators

6:45 pm, 7:45 pm (each for 20 minutes)
Piano Recital at the Hans Otte. Klanghaus
Pianist Alexandra Wenger rehearses weekly with Ukrainian children and youth at the grand piano in the Klanghaus. During the Lange Nacht, the young pianists invite you to enjoy a special performance. The grand piano is made available thanks to Sparkasse Bremen AG.

Fig: The Weserburg at the Lange Nacht der Bremer Museen 2024

Part of realtime festival 2025 – international festival for new music bremen

In this workshop, participants build sound machines from everyday materials (old toys, empty cans, Christmas decorations, cardboard). These objects are brought to life using motors, circuits, and microcontrollers to create noise and music.

It’s all about discovering interesting sounds, experimenting with material and rhythm, learning programming, and building machines. At the end of the week, the results will be presented in an exhibition and concert on Sunday, June 1 at Tor 40 (Beim Handelsmuseum 9, 28195 Bremen).

About the artists:
Thomas Keiser studied Integrated Design (focus on language and communication) and was a master student at HfK Bremen in the class of Prof. Rosa Barba. His work has been shown at the Weserburg, in Osnabrück, Delmenhorst, Seoul, and Hamburg.
Felix Fisgus, M.A. in Digital Media from HfK, co-developed the Sound Machine Workshop.

In cooperation with Weserburg Museum für moderne Kunst

Fig.: Sound Machine Workshop, realtime festival 2025, Photo: Andreas Caspari