The German word "Ohnmacht'' describes a feeling of powerlessness or impotence but it also means to faint, to lose consciousness. Ohnmacht arises wherever a condition is intolerable but the means of change are not in sight. Between urgency and opportunity, there is a void that is growing ever wider in the face of escalating crises. And although agency is systematically unequally distributed, even the hearts of the most committed seem disillusioned today.

Acts of helplessness can be observed everywhere: Cynicism and fatalism spread, people retreat into protected spaces, stick themselves to streets or works of art, the desire to "at least not do much damage" becomes a life goal – the air has become heavy with Ohnmacht.

Where does Ohnmacht as a public feeling come from, what does it look like? Can anything positive grow from it?

The greater the feeling of powerlessness, the sweeter the promise of its overcoming: conspiracy myths thrive on the kick of self-empowerment, right-wing leader figures are strengthened by the notion that only a "strong man" can take the helm again. If you are not careful, Ohnmacht can turn you into a fortress.

In 2023, we wanted to declare the (apparent) omnipotence of impotence a public matter. It was high time to address Ohnmacht thoroughly, to explore it and to develop ways of dealing with it in solidarity. At FORUM STADTPARK, this attempt was made through the interplay of different strands of thought and art.