Opening of the moving exhibition Tendency Distortion” in Munich!

Opening of the moving exhibition Tendency Distortion” in Munich!

A look into the past: Art meets history in the Munich Art Pavilion. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the end of the war, the exhibition “Tendency Distortion” by the German-Danish artist Lena Ditte Nissen is being shown here. This exciting exhibition opens on November 13, 2025 at 7 p.m. and not only awakens memories of a dark time in history, but also sheds light on Nissen's personal family history, which is closely linked to the Nazi euthanasia crimes.

The exhibition runs from November 14th to 30th, 2025 and is open Tuesday to Sunday between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Admission is free, which offers the opportunity to engage with one of the most important topics of Germany's past. Several speakers will speak at the opening. These include Luise Klemens, who brings a trade union perspective, and Alexandra Senfft, who explains the historical context. In addition, Prof. Dr. Jochen Bonz will give an introduction to the project.

Insights into “Tendency Distortion”

The video work combines documentary footage with historical depictions from a midwifery magazine from 1940, which provides a deep insight into the circumstances at the time. This is particularly relevant for the artist Lena Ditte Nissen, as her great-grandmother Nanna Conti served as the “Reich midwife leader” and was responsible for the midwife magazine in question. Her great-uncle, Leonardo Conti, was also involved in the “patient murders” as the “Reich Health Leader”. These family entanglements make the exhibition particularly haunting and personal.

Support and context

The exhibition is initiated by Sepp Rauch from the VBK and is part of the project “Grafeneck – Münster / 1940 – today”, led by Prof. Jochen Bonz from the Catholic University of North Rhine-Westphalia, in cooperation with the Grafeneck Memorial. The exhibition is supported by the Remembrance, Responsibility and Future Foundation (EVZ) and the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF). The Danish Art Fund has also pledged additional support.

This exhibition not only offers a historical review, but also stimulates reflection on current ethical questions associated with the topic of euthanasia. Euthanasia, a term whose origins in Greek mean “good death,” now addresses complex issues of ending life in the context of pain and suffering. This topic has evolved over the years and is still interpreted differently. The connection to the euthanasia crimes of the Nazi era shows how fragile the relationship between life, death and social responsibility is. For a deeper insight into the historical development and the different views on euthanasia, it is worth taking a look at the detailed information on Wikipedia.

The exhibition “Tendency Distortion” highlights the need to engage with one's own history while reflecting on ethical issues in the present. With these moving works of art, visitors can build a bridge between the past and the future and thus become part of an important social discussion.