why do rivers cry?
Javkhlan Ariunbold, Mary Bauermeister, Melina Bigale, Hervé Garcia, Clemens Botho Goldbach, David Hepp, Klara Hobza, Jungwoon Kim, Matthieu Martin, Meike Schulze Hobeling, Philipp Valenta, Nicole Widner und Gerrit Schulze Raestrup
May 31 – July 12, 2026
Rivers such as the Dinkel and the Vechte reflect the traces of human intervention in nature and the climate. Between utilization and excessive use, trade and globalization, they tell the story of a culture that shapes its environment while simultaneously threatening it.
The transported Bentheimer Sandstein became a construction material for significant architectural structures and thus a symbol of human creativity. Yet the very processes that gave rise to this culture also make it vulnerable.
The exhibition brings together artistic perspectives that view water as a medium of memory, emotion, and change. The crying rivers symbolize loss and responsibility, but also new beginnings and the possibility of renewal.
Saturday, May 30, 2026, 7 pm
Opening
Welcome: Carina Schüring, Chairwoman of the Kunstverein Grafschaft Bentheim
Greeting: Carl-Hendrik Staal, Mayor of the Stadt und Samtgemeinde Neuenhaus
Keynote: Ulrike Riebel and Roger Rohrbach, Artistic Directors
Program
Thursday, June 18, 2026, starting at 6 pm
Borreltje
After-work drinks at the Kunstverein
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 3 pm
Excursion along the Dinkel and opening of the sculpture by Clemens Botho Goldbach
Starting point at the Kunstverein
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 7 pm
Related Professions – Keynote and open discussion with
Matthias Bollmer, monument conservator, Landkreis Grafschaft Bentheim
Jens Fronterré, Managing Director of Stein und Form
Leoni Bianka Reiber, art historian and geographer
Philipp Valenta, artist participating in the exhibition
Friday, June 26, 2026, 7 pm
drink and draw
Teens and adults are invited to work freely and exchange ideas in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere.
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 7 pm
Screening
Mary Bauermeister - Eins und eins ist drei
Thursday, July 2, 2026, 7 pm
Reading Group with Jakob Urban
Together we will read a short text and discuss it. You do not need to prepare the text in advance; it will be available at the Kunstverein beforehand.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 7 pm
Lecture with Klara Hobza on her project Diving Through Europe
Friday, July 10, 2026, 10 – 12 pm
FeriPro – Summer Activity Pass of the Samtgemeinde Neuenhaus
Please register via FeriPro.
Friday, July 13, 2026, 14 – 16 pm
FeriPro – Summer Activity Pass of the Samtgemeinde Neuenhaus
Please register via FeriPro.
Friday, July 14, 2026, 14 – 16 pm
FeriPro – Summer Activity Pass of the Samtgemeinde Neuenhaus
Please register via FeriPro.
why do rivers cry?
Javkhlan Ariunbold, Mary Bauermeister, Melina Bigale, Hervé Garcia, Clemens Botho Goldbach, David Hepp, Klara Hobza, Jungwoon Kim, Matthieu Martin, Meike Schulze Hobeling, Philipp Valenta, Nicole Widner und Gerrit Schulze Raestrup
May 31 – July 12, 2026
Rivers such as the Dinkel and the Vechte reflect the traces of human intervention in nature and the climate. Between utilization and excessive use, trade and globalization, they tell the story of a culture that shapes its environment while simultaneously threatening it.
The transported Bentheimer Sandstein became a construction material for significant architectural structures and thus a symbol of human creativity. Yet the very processes that gave rise to this culture also make it vulnerable.
The exhibition brings together artistic perspectives that view water as a medium of memory, emotion, and change. The crying rivers symbolize loss and responsibility, but also new beginnings and the possibility of renewal.
Saturday, May 30, 2026, 7 pm
Opening
Welcome: Carina Schüring, Chairwoman of the Kunstverein Grafschaft Bentheim
Greeting: Carl-Hendrik Staal, Mayor of the Stadt und Samtgemeinde Neuenhaus
Keynote: Ulrike Riebel and Roger Rohrbach, Artistic Directors
Program
Thursday, June 18, 2026, starting at 6 pm
Borreltje
After-work drinks at the Kunstverein
Sunday, June 21, 2026, 3 pm
Excursion along the Dinkel and opening of the sculpture by Clemens Botho Goldbach
Starting point at the Kunstverein
Thursday, June 25, 2026, 7 pm
Related Professions – Keynote and open discussion with
Matthias Bollmer, monument conservator, Landkreis Grafschaft Bentheim
Jens Fronterré, Managing Director of Stein und Form
Leoni Bianka Reiber, art historian and geographer
Philipp Valenta, artist participating in the exhibition
Friday, June 26, 2026, 7 pm
drink and draw
Teens and adults are invited to work freely and exchange ideas in a relaxed and cozy atmosphere.
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 7 pm
Screening
Mary Bauermeister - Eins und eins ist drei
Thursday, July 2, 2026, 7 pm
Reading Group with Jakob Urban
Together we will read a short text and discuss it. You do not need to prepare the text in advance; it will be available at the Kunstverein beforehand.
Saturday, July 4, 2026, 7 pm
Lecture with Klara Hobza on her project Diving Through Europe
Friday, July 10, 2026, 10 – 12 pm
FeriPro – Summer Activity Pass of the Samtgemeinde Neuenhaus
Please register via FeriPro.
Friday, July 13, 2026, 14 – 16 pm
FeriPro – Summer Activity Pass of the Samtgemeinde Neuenhaus
Please register via FeriPro.
Friday, July 14, 2026, 14 – 16 pm
FeriPro – Summer Activity Pass of the Samtgemeinde Neuenhaus
Please register via FeriPro.