Jonathas de Andrade: The Fierce Shine of the Edges

About the production

What does it mean to exist as a human being alongside other living creatures? How can one be a good citizen in this world? The fascinating work of Brazilian artist Jonathas de Andrade (*1982) explores such questions. It examines human strength and weakness and demonstrates humanity’s potential to overcome social, political and physical challenges, primarily by connecting with other living beings. By joining forces and supporting one another, people rise above their everyday lives. In doing so, they push their own bodies and minds to their limits, which often leads them to liminal states. De Andrade’s works affirm both the power of the individual and the power of the community, not as opposites, but as two mutually nourishing poles.

De Andrade’s projects are underpinned by the recognition that we live in a diverse society and that all voices must be heard in order to ensure their interconnectedness and sense of belonging. The protagonists of his works often come from the fringes of socio-economic strata or are overlooked by mainstream society. They find their voice and their calling through interaction with others who are similarly marginalised.

The disadvantages they face are thus transformed into advantages; they become a platform from which people can be recognised as individuals, raise their voices and articulate their own unique messages. The realisation that every living organism is unique and, at the same time, part of a vibrant, dense ecological network of other people, animals and plants, gives individuals both the strength and the confidence to overcome difficulties.

Jonathas de Andrade is a leading figure on the contemporary art scene. He works with video as well as photography, sculpture and installation. Although he has exhibited extensively in South America, North America and Western Europe, his work has rarely been shown in Germany to date. The exhibition in Bad Muskau within the framework of the Lausitz Festival 2026 presents some of his most significant works across various media. It offers the first opportunity for a thorough engagement with this artist in Germany. 

Alongside a sculptural and a photographic installation, the exhibition in Bad Muskau showcases three recent video works by Jonathas de Andrade. The accompanying show at the BLMK in Cottbus explores his engagement with social issues, pairing two of his pieces with selected artwork from the 1920s and 1930s.

»Jonathas de Andrade: The Fierce Shine of the Edges« is an exhibition of the Lausitz Festival and the Brandenburg State Museum of Modern Art (BLMK) in cooperation with the »Fürst-Pückler-Park Bad Muskau« Foundation.

The exhibition in Bad Muskau has been curated by Kobi Ben-Meir, the show in Cottbus by Ulrike Kremeier.

The exhibitions were made possible through the generous support of the German Federal Cultural Foundation, with additional support from Galleria Continua.

Opening: 28.08.2026, 6 p.m.

Opening tour: Following the opening, there will be a guided tour of the exhibition with the artist Jonathas de Andrade and the curator Kobi Ben-Meir.

Duration: 29.08.–31.10.2026

Opening hours: daily, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Entrance: 4 Euro (2 Euro concessions) – via the New Palace in Bad Muskau under the heading »Tower climb with exhibitions + special exhibitions«

By bus & train to the event

Why don't you leave your car at home and come to the event by public transport? Click on the button to calculate your route. The destination is already pre-filled in the trip planner.

We owe this service for the Lausitz Festival to the transport associations VVO, VBB and ZVON.

After exhibition opening – Special bus service:

Following the exhibition opening on August 28, we are offering a special bus service on Line 80.

Departure: Bad Muskau, Kirchplatz stop at 7:43 p.m.

Arrival: Weißwasser Train Station at 9:01 p.m.

Many thanks to ZVON for making this possible.

Plan your trip

Alternative Option: Your Return Journey with PriMa+ÖV

An offer by ZVON for the regions of Weißwasser, Niesky, Görlitz, and Zittau.
When no bus is running, a public transport taxi or a private ride-share will comfortably take you to your destination – at almost the standard public transport fare. Everything on one platform, everything from a single source. You can find further important information on the PriMa+ÖV website.

Telephone bookings are also possible via customer service: 0049 (0)3591/326969.