The collaboration between the University of Haifa and the University of Fine Arts Hamburg started in May 2023 during a visit in Haifa of Professor Martin Köttering, president of HFBK.

Professor Köttering met with members of the Fine Arts Master program and was impressed by their unique works and insights, recognizing the complexity of Israel and the Middle East. Observing how they navigate the current situation and manage working and living in coexistence, this journey culminated in an agreement between the two institutions signed in May 2024—a three-year partnership encouraging staff and student exchange.

This partnership, fueled by ongoing dialogue and personal connections, also led to a remarkable exhibition spearheaded by Sharon Poliakine, Head of the School of Arts at the University of Haifa, and Birgit Brandis from HFBK, Hamburg. Born from the artistic exchange between these two captivating figures, the exhibit embodies a shared passion for art and mutual inspiration.

The exhibition, titled “We Only See What Looks At Us,” emerged from a collaborative workshop involving 11 students from HFBK. Inspired by Franz Hessel’s evocative narrative “Vorschule des Journalismus, ein Pariser Tagebuch” (1929), the exhibit invites viewers to reflect on the interplay between perception and reality through its diverse array of perspectives and artistic expressions. Each artwork unveils a distinct vantage point, intricately interwoven to create a tapestry of mutual resonance.

This showcase serves as a testament to the transformative power of artistic exchange, transcending geographical and cultural divides in a world often marked by fragmentation.

Photo credit: HFBK Hamburg, Tim Albrecht