Museum Angewandte Kunst, Frankfurt
Adler, Orden, Wahlurne. Redesigning Democratic Representat
October 2026
HFBK Hamburg
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Representative democracy is in crisis—how can design help restore trust in democratic institutions and processes? Led by design theorist Friedrich von Borries and political scientist Sven T. Siefken, the research project “Redesigning Democratic Representation” challenges assumptions we take for granted: What might voting look like in the future? What connects Germany to the eagle? And with which medals do we honor exceptional dedication?
The exhibition presents concrete designs developed in collaboration with international designers and artists. Furthermore, it showcases initial findings from ethnographic observations of three members of the German Bundestag—a look behind the scenes of politics.
Behind the ODD are design theorist Friedrich von Borries (University of Fine Arts Hamburg) and political scientist Sven T. Siefken (Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences), who combine ethnographic observations, participation and experimental design methods in the Volkswagen Foundation-funded research project Redesigning Democratic Representation (ReDe-Re).
The exhibition leaves open the question of whether the ODD is a new state institution or a fictional one, thus asking visitors how they want to get involved in the further development of representative democracy.
Exhibitors: Moritz Bendl, Petra Esveld, Juan Guse, Pauli Muszi, Ingo Offermanns, Daniel Afriyie Owusu, Peter Post, Emma Rahe, Bezalel Academy of Art and Design Jerusalem, Academy of Fine Arts Warsaw, ODD, among others.
Curator: Prof. Dr Friedrich von Borries Curatorial & scientific
Team: Prof. Dr Friedrich von Borries, Prof. Dr Sven T. Siefken, Juliane Baruck, Philipp Cartier
Exhibition design: Philipp Cartier
Exhibition graphics: Ingo Offermanns A project by: University of Fine Arts Hamburg, Federal University of Public Administration
In collaboration with: Demokratie Innovation e.V., Deutscher Design Club e.V. Cooperation partner: World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026
Supported by: Volkswagen Foundation
