Democracy and social cohesion are often perceived as given, stable and secure. Yet recent years have brought a different reality into focus: democracy is clearly not a fixed state, but an ongoing process of negotiation. It emerges through participation and communication, through conflict and consensus, and is becoming increasingly fragile. Centrifugal forces such as the growing tendency toward populism and authoritarian discourse, also driven by modern forms of communication, are intensifying this condition.
With the theme “Democracy and Society” Genius Loci Weimar 2026 addresses precisely these tensions. Historical sites across the city become projection surfaces for artistic perspectives on political processes, social transformation, and the question of how community is shaped today.
As part of the international competition, artists are invited to reinterpret these locations. We are looking for audiovisual works that engage with the “genius loci” —the spirit of the place— and translate it into a contemporary visual language. Selected projects will be realized with a production budget and presented in September 2026 as large scale façade projections during the festival. You can find more information about the competition here.
Genius Loci Weimar sees itself as an interface between art, space, and society. The festival makes visible what often remains unseen: the dynamics, ruptures, and possibilities that shape our present.
