The »Matters of Evidence« conference is dedicated to the role of forensic methods in art and other fields of knowledge. Using the concept of »evidence«, it sheds light on questions of materiality and the presentation of evidence in interdisciplinary contexts. The project was conceived by Kuba Szreder and Natalia Romik in collaboration with the ZKM | Karlsruhe.

In the age of post-truth, questions of »evidence« have become particularly important. They now play a decisive role not only in economics, in court proceedings and in the documentation and prosecution of human rights violations, but also in climate research, archival, art and architectural research and historical studies.

Evidence, however, represents a highly controversial approach. It can easily be instrumentalized to support false claims, conspiracy theories and outright denial of the truth. In contrast, evidence presupposes a thorough examination within the framework of established procedures. This is usually done with the intention of reconstructing the chain of events, establishing causality and responsibility – with a direct impact on public debate and politics. Different disciplines and institutions pursue their own methods and objectives. But in their efforts to shed light on the past, inform the present and shape the future, all sides can work together.

»Matters of Evidence« follows on from the exhibition »Hideouts. The Architecture of Survival« by artist and architect Natalia Romik, which can be seen at the Jewish Museum Frankfurt from March 1 to September 1, 2024. The conference will expand on the methods of architectural, artistic and historical research presented in several stages. To kick off the event on June 14 and 15, 2024, a group of artists, architects, scientists, activists and historians will present their selected pieces of evidence and discuss them with a local audience. These »Matters of Evidence« will then be exhibited and contextualized as part of the »Fellow Travellers« project from 20 September 2024 to September 2025.