Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach am Main

Confused, feeble, romantic, (profusely) decorated, cyber, and: key. – Ornament as feminist practice

The event re-reads ornament as aesthetic strategy for artistic and design practices, emphasizing its renewed relevance in contemporary visual culture. Over the two days June 18th and 19th, 2026, guests and students will come together to examine ornament not merely as decoration, but as a mode of material reflection and a potential framework for non-hierarchical, relational structures.

By engaging with historical, cultural, and artistic contexts, the symposium investigates how ornament can function as a “visual alphabet” – one capable of shaping new languages that support feminist and democratic approaches to art and design.

Events will take place in German or English on CEST at Linke Kapelle, HfG Offenbach (Schloßstraße 31, 63065 Offenbach am Main) and will not be live-streamed. 

To enter the public program is free and no ticket required, bigger visiting groups are asked to mail beforehand.

PROGRAMME

18.6., Thursday
10:00 Welcome
10:15 Nadira Husain
12:00 Jule Tabea Martin & Francesco Colli in Conversation
14:30 Tim Ingold (online lecture)
16:45 Dayna Casey
18:15 evening program with HfG Radio

19.6., Friday 
10:00 Rietlanden Women’s Office
11:45 Anna-Mariia Kucherenko
14:15 Fanny Brandauer
16:00 Kevin Bray
17:45 luxxuryproblems
18:30 evening program with HfG Radio