Pia Rönicke: The Drifters’ Archive

Dear E,

They keep reminding us that the past has faded, yet here we stand, confronting the turbulence of the future. How do we respond to such overwhelming force? We continue to believe in images, words, shapes, and sounds. Despite the imposed rhythms of statistical cruelty, we gather once more, holding onto what we cherish through the years.

Imagine a moment in 2006: you and Pia collaborating on her exhibition at L k. It's easy to envision the urgency of those discussions, seeking cracks in the walls that now echo two decades later like a gentle prophecy.

Pia's work compels us to reach out, to write letters in nomadic languages to those we care about. These letters, filled with history, collect the essence of our connections — the murmurs of lives intertwined through stories.

In this drifting archive, we hear the echoes of revolutionary dreams, resonating with figures like Rosa, Walter, and Ursula. We traverse the landscapes of our memories, sharing tales of those who possess unwavering dignity. Stories of a girl harmonizing with the woods and a seed that ventured home across vast oceans. Life remains wild and untamed, no matter the circumstances.

Dear F,

Your letter struck a deep chord within me, a shared sensitivity that resonated with my current thoughts. This summer, I've delved into the works of Sara Ahmed, oscillating between frustration and the empowerment of saying NO more. In those moments, my balcony plants provided a modest respite.

Reading your insightful notes on Pia's work brought to mind Rosa Luxemburg and her relentless critiques of warmongering. Through imprisonment and surveillance, she artfully dismantles capitalism, exposing the imperialistic disease while searching for heartfelt words that bridge the writer and reader. Even from her prison cell, she foresaw the ecological collapse we now face.

Her struggle feels incredibly timely, yet insurmountable. Will we ever escape this endless cycle? Pia elegantly weaves together Rosa's passionate resistance and Hannah Arendt's storytelling, contrasting their experiences against institutions that celebrate Arendt while wielding power destructively.

Yes, circles may run, but they also break.

Is this the hope you seek? I believe it can be.

Pia Rönicke, a Copenhagen-based visual artist, has dedicated over two decades to collecting narratives that challenge colonial and capitalist narratives. Her projects intertwine diverse media across timelines, honoring the relentless power of feminist and communal resistance. The Drifters’ Archive is an exhibition presented in two parts at Fuxia 2 and SIGNAL.

📍 Location: Monbijougatan 17H, SE-211 53 Malmö, Sverige
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