Connections for Friendship

The project invites us to reflect on the design of our living spaces and democracy in a German-American comparison. The 10th anniversary exhibition of the twin town Franklin/TN builds a bridge between both democracies and cultures.

The art installation in the cultural centre of Bad Soden and in the spa gardens creates a network that highlights the connecting values and differences of our democracies. These art elements link intergenerational and German-American events and discussion forums that encourage participation. ‘Design for Democracy’ thus becomes a living process that brings together people from different countries and cultures in the international environment of the Rhine-Main area, stimulates discourse and creates a sense of belonging – essential for a functioning democracy and a better quality of life. The interaction between installation art, US exhibition works and visitors is multimedia-based, with learning and experience spaces for information and active participation, including with schools, in order to make democracy emotionally tangible through creative experiences. The starting point is the vernissage on 4 September with participants from Germany and the USA. During the eight-week exhibition, there will be various events on the topic of democracy in the bathhouse, in the park, in schools and, if necessary, in other public spaces, including discussion forums, democracy workshops, panel discussions, lectures, etc., until the closing event on 1 November 2026.