In an era of increasing commercialisation of public spaces and growing global instability, artistic interventions are more necessary than ever to counteract the emerging limitations of socio-political developments. However, bureaucratic and regulatory hurdles often stand in the way. This is precisely why the EMBASSY OF ARCADIA (An ongoing project by Peter Kees) aims to promote artistic, activist, non-conformist, guerrilla-style and subversive strategies for interventions in public spaces.
Based on conversations between the ARCADIAN AMBASSADOR (Peter Kees) and experts in the fields of art, activism and urbanism, I created a leaflet (Zine) containing short statements in which the participants express their views on the importance of art in public spaces. These statements are intended to encourage people to become active in public spaces themselves and to provoke thought about new strategies.
In view of the political shift to the right, the leaflet campaign methodically prepares for future scenarios in which democratic freedom of expression could be further restricted. DREAM ILLEGAL sees itself as a poetic protest against the stifling of hope, imagination and utopia, particularly at a time of increasing instability and social polarisation.
The action took place in munich by the end of summer 2025, with a protest at Odeonsplatz.
Projectlead: Gala Kuckhoff Graphicdesign: Gala Kuckhoff Artist: Peter KeesWith Staments by: David Adam, Dresden (artist) Frankfurter Hauptschule, Frankfurt (artist collective) Hans Winkler, Berlin (artist) Laura Bruns, Team stadtstattstrand Munich (creative use of urban space) Peng! Collective, Berlin (collective for subversive action art) Radikale Töchter, Berlin (association for political education) Uwe Jonas, Munich (artist)
Photo: Toby Binder
Graphicdesign: Gala Kuckhoff, Instagramtemplates with significant Statements to announcing the intervention
Photo: Toby Binder, LTR:Dr. Christian Landspersky (Head of PLATFORM MUNICH) & Peter Kees
Photo: Toby Binder, Designed Warningwest by Gala Kuckhoff, LTR Peter Kees, Christian Landspersky, Funny Sohr, Gala Kuckhoff, Karim Mourad, Radmila Krstajic, BR Film Team, Rebecca Wendeborn
Photo: Magdalena Jooss