Garden
Touching Grass Exhibition 2026
August 23rd
outdoor location TBA (Donauinsel)
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The feeling of someone’s fingers on your skin. Water embracing you as you take your first stroke across the river. Grass beneath your bare feet. Wind brushing through your hair. Gentle, tender, curious. A tattoo on your hip that reminds you of someone. A gentle touch moving up your leg. A kiss pressed against your collarbone. bed sheets left on the floor. Rope marks, imprinted on your wrist. The vibration that moves through you when you see someone you love. Your body relaxing in the arms of someone you trust. A playful tongue grazing your neck. Naughty, cheeky, sweet. A stronger breeze pushes you against a tree.
What is sexuality, and what is sensuality? Where does the line between them lie? Can the line lie?
This year, in the second edition of Touching Grass, we are focusing on sexuality, with nature as a space that can hold our feelings - a quiet, meditative environment where we can listen to our bodies, where no sounds or movements interrupt that listening. A place where we do not have to wear a mask or perform, where we can simply be ourselves. Together, we will reflect on what sexuality means to us in relation to our own bodies, following the delicate boundary between the sensual and the sexual.
What is sexuality, and what is sensuality? Where does the line between them lie? Can the line lie?
This year, in the second edition of Touching Grass, we are focusing on sexuality, with nature as a space that can hold our feelings - a quiet, meditative environment where we can listen to our bodies, where no sounds or movements interrupt that listening. A place where we do not have to wear a mask or perform, where we can simply be ourselves. Together, we will reflect on what sexuality means to us in relation to our own bodies, following the delicate boundary between the sensual and the sexual.
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The exhibition is a community-based, non-hierarchical event taking place on Sunday, August 23rd, 2026, on Donauinsel (exact location TBA).
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APPLICATION
We welcome submissions in all artistic media. In particular, we encourage proposals for happenings, performances, lectures, and other experimental forms. As the event takes place outdoors, we will not be able to exhibit works that require electricity. However, we are planning an evening screening with a portable projector, so films and video works are very welcome.
The event takes place in a public outdoor space rather than a n enclosed gallery, so please keep this in mind when choosing your work. While this exhibition focuses on sexuality, we would like to maintain a mediative and reflective environment centered on artworks, happenings, and our feelings, without entering the realm of a sex space. Please also be considerate of other beings - human and non-human -whom we may encounter in the forest.
To apply, please send us a short description of your work or idea, along with images or links if available, and links to your social media accounts. We strongly encourage all participants to be present at the event to that we can find the most suitable placement for each work together. If you are unable to attend, just let us know - we will do our best to find a good solution.
Submissions are open until August 1st. Please send your application to touching.grass.exhibition@gmail.com with the subject „Open Call Application“.
Submissions are open until August 1st. Please send your application to touching.grass.exhibition@gmail.com with the subject „Open Call Application“.
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