Sacred space meets contemporary art: Daniel Rode's »HOLD ME«

The 5th Art Prize of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg will be the focus of an artist talk. The Evangelical Academy Bad Boll invites you to the Ludwigsburg City Church on September 14th.

Church spaces have always been far more than mere places of worship – they function as spaces for the resonance of social and cultural discourse. The Dresden artist Daniel Rode impressively demonstrates this bridge between tradition and transformation, between theology and aesthetics. As the newly awarded recipient of the 5th Art Prize of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Württemberg, he completely reinterprets the historic architecture of the Ludwigsburg City Church with his installation "HOLD ME" .

Now, art and culture enthusiasts have a special opportunity: An open artist talk invites them to gain deeper insights into Daniel Rode's creative process and the conceptual foundation of his work through direct exchange with him.

This year's art prize was themed around the multifaceted concept of "INTERPLAY,"which calls for an intensive exploration of the relationship between contemporary art and the sacred sphere. Rode, whose works are often characterized by a combination of poetic gentleness and conceptual rigor, poses fundamental questions with "HOLD ME" : questions about support, comfort, commitment, and, not least, the vulnerability of human existence.

Art is not merely exhibited in the church space; it enters into an intensive architectural and spiritual dialogue.”

The placement of the installation within the church walls lends these fundamental existential themes an additional metaphysical dimension. Here, the contemporary object and the centuries-old space do not stand in opposition to each other as foreign elements, but rather merge into a shared, questioning narrative.

On September 14, 2026, the Evangelical Academy Bad Boll invites you to the Ludwigsburg City Church to translate this very dialogue into a verbal exchange. Guided by the deep conviction that art and the church benefit enormously from a critical yet always inspiring discussion, this evening promises a horizon-expanding shift in perspective.

The key questions of the evening are: How does art transform sacred space? And conversely – how does sacred space influence the perception of art?

In conversation with Dr. Kerstin Renz, Daniel Rode provides insights into his work and explains the context of his work HALTE MICH, which refers to the biblical encounter between Mary Magdalene and the risen Christ (John 20:11–18).

The event is explicitly not aimed solely at an academic audience. Everyone interested in innovative forms of expression in social and cultural self-understanding is warmly invited to participate in this dialogue.

About the artist:

Daniel Rode (born 1971) was born in Eutin, Schleswig-Holstein, and now lives in Dresden. A graduate in art education and a master's degree holder at the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, he works primarily with installations, drawings, and text. His large-format text-based works in public and semi-public spaces have been exhibited in cities including Berlin, Cairo, Hanoi, and Athens.

Schedule overview:

• What: HOLD ME – The artist Daniel Rode in conversation
• When: Monday, September 14, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Where: Ludwigsburg City Church, Stadtkirchenplatz 6, 71634 Ludwigsburg
• Admission: Free, no prior registration required
• Website: www.ev-akademie-boll.de