„The Schlamm Is Everywhere“

What traces does a natural disaster leave in cultural memory? What happens when works of art suddenly become emergency cases? And how do conservators decide what can still be saved?

On the occasion of the Working Meeting of Emergency Response Networks, the ZKM presents the special exhibition “The Mud Is Everywhere” in the side foyer. The exhibition shows works from the Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler City Museum that were severely damaged during the 2021 flood disaster in the Ahr Valley.

The title refers to a poignant remark by conservator Joanna Bella of the Erkenbert Museum in Frankenthal. Her exclamation describes not only the condition of the affected region, but also that of the damaged cultural objects: mud everywhere.

The objects on display were brought to the ZKM on August 1, 2021, for initial treatment. In a rescue operation organized at short notice, conservators from Karlsruhe and Stuttgart worked together to stabilize the damaged works and prepare them for further conservation. Numerous freelance specialists and institutions from the Karlsruhe Emergency Network were involved.

Not all works could be saved. In some paintings, the water-soluble paint layers had already dissolved irretrievably. As part of a process of triage—prioritization according to urgency and feasibility—it was decided to leave these objects in their damaged state. Today, they stand as fragile testimonies to the disaster and forcefully underscore the importance of effective cultural heritage protection.

The exhibition draws attention to an often overlooked field of work: the emergency rescue and conservation of cultural objects damaged by water and mud. At the same time, it invites visitors to reflect on the value and vulnerability of our cultural heritage.