„Brustbein Bewusstsein“

Elke Erb’s poem „Angekommen in Ahrenshoop” (“Arrived in Ahrenshoop”) (2015)

"kamen die Wellen..." ("the waves came …")

Image: Sebastian Krahnert
"kamen die Wellen..." ("the waves came …")

Published:

"Nimm Notiz" ("Take Notice"): Exhibition at the Ernst Abbe Library Jena (Engelplatz 2) and Schiller’s Garden (Schillergässchen 2), 12 May to 31 July 2026

Elke Erb’s (1938–2024) poems take intense note of what presents itself. Attentively, they sound out what is the case or what might be. In the medium of language, they create spaces for wonder and inquiry, for observation and contemplation, and, in dialogue with their readers, pave paths for reflection and clarification. When we meet on equal footing, something else becomes perceptible and palpable in our “here and now” – including that which is absent or is no longer present.

In this exhibition, we look forward to exploring the world of a poem together with the library’s readers. Its title is Angekommen in Ahrenshoop (Arrived in Ahrenshoop). In the process, the poem itself ripples like waves, encounters other languages, draws near to us and then recedes again. It changes its form, loses its footing, finds a new one, and draws us into a conversation – with ourselves and perhaps, also with one another.

Excerpt from the poem „Angekommen in Ahrenshoop” (“Arrived in Ahrenshoop”) (2015).

Image: Elke Erb: "Sonnenklar". Hrsg. von Urs Engeler und Christian Filips.

Exhibition Gallery

  • Audio Archive

    Elke Elb Exhibition "Brustbein Bewusstsein"

    A bench in the summery garden
    Image: Fiona Daffner
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Upcoming events accompanying the exhibition

  • 29 May 2026 · 18:00—21:00
    29 May 2026 18:00—21:00
    "Wo das Nichts explodiert"de
  • 5 June 2026 · 19:00—19:30
    5 June 2026 19:00—19:30
    »Brustbein Bewusstsein« Kleiner Elke Erb-Spaziergang durch Schillers Garten
  • 5 June 2026 · 20:00—20:30
    5 June 2026 20:00—20:30
    »Brustbein Bewusstsein« Kleiner Elke Erb-Spaziergang durch Schillers Garten
  • 14 September 2026 · 10:00—11:00
    14 September 2026 10:00—11:00
    Elke Erb: Angekommen in Ahrenshoop. Gedichtlektüre mit dem Literaturkreis Jena-Lobeda

Curated by Catalina Giraldo Vélez, Katherin Gutierrez, Lisa Memmeler and Helmut Hühn

„Angekommen in Ahrenshoop” (“Arrived in Ahrenshoop”)

„Angekommen in Ahrenshoop” (“Arrived in Ahrenshoop”)

Image: Sebastian Krahnert

Cooperation partners:

Akademie der KünsteExternal link (Elke-Erb-Archiv)
Ernst-Abbe-Bücherei JenaExternal link
Literarische Gesellschaft Thüringen e.V.External link
Schiller’s Garden House (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

In collaboration with:

the higher level German course of Year 12 at Jenaplan-Schule JenaExternal link
the degree programme “Literary Translation in Theory and Practice” („Literarisches Übersetzen in Theorie und Praxis“ de)
Theaterhaus JenaExternal link
the Universidad de SalamancaExternal link (Prof. Dr. Belén Santana)
and the University Choir of Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Universitätschor der Friedrich-Schiller-Universität Jena) de

One source of inspiration for the project was the exhibition »Nimm Notiz! 3«, a text-based work by the collective “kaboom” featuring Elke Erb, Özlem Özgül Dündar, Ronya Othmann and The Poetry Project. It was presented as part of the conference »Enter the Ghosts. Formen des Nachlebens in der Lyrik« (October 2024), organised by the Einstein Project »AfterWords«.

 https://lcb.de/ausstellung/nimm-notiz-3/External link

https://www.vooo.space/media/nimm-notiz-3-the-poetry-projectExternal link