Ariel Reichman | Neukölln

Ariel Reichman is an artist born and raised in Johannesburg in 1979. Having lived both in Israel and Berlin for almost 20 years, he has developed a unique perspective that continues to shape his art. His work tells stories of identity, conflict and transformation, drawing from the rich experiences of his life in these diverse, complex places. In his work, the quiet gestures of everyday life merge with the weight of political realities, revealing the unseen tensions beneath ordinary objects and actions. Reichman’s creations are a meditation on the borders we carry within ourselves, inviting us to witness the delicate balance between the intimate and the collective.

Reichman’s installation “I AM (NOT) SAFE” was created in 2021 but has taken on new urgency since October 7, 2023, and the ongoing war and trauma that has followed. Originally a general inquiry into personal and collective safety and vulnerability, the installation now invites viewers to engage interactively with their own fragility. This interaction occurs both in the physical exhibition and online.

The central question posed to participants is: “AM I SAFE?” If the answer is “NO,” the phrase “I AM NOT SAFE” illuminates, confronting the viewer with the severity of insecurity. Conversely, if the answer is “YES,” the word “NOT” becomes invisible, leaving only the glowing phrase “I AM SAFE.” Through this interaction, the artwork externalizes emotional states, making them visible yet fleeting, as the question itself remains fluid and open to the individual’s shifting perceptions.

Since October 7, 2023, the installation has been displayed on the outer walls of the Mishkan Museum in Ein Harod, Israel. This location serves as a haunting symbol of the ever-present question of safety across all borders, which remains alive in the face of reality.

The installation is also on permanent display in Germany at the Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg, the Kunsthalle Mannheim, and the Ardi Goldman Kunst- und Kulturstiftung Frankfurt. Through these synchronized multiple locations, the work also emphasizes how both collective and individual fears manifest in everyday life, offering a profound reflection on living in a world where unpredictability has become a constant companion.