In conjunction with the exhibition “Freiräume. Between Change and Resistance,” the Kunstmuseum Bonn is exploring the significance of Carnival as a social space of freedom within our democracy through March 14, 2027. The special exhibition “Jacques Tilly: Floats and Resistance” illustrates how far the sculptor’s satirical works for Düsseldorf’s Rose Monday parade extend beyond the traditional carnival. The enormous political impact of Tilly’s satires is evident in reality: In April 2026, the sculptor was sentenced in absentia by a Moscow court to a lengthy prison term. A verdict that, to this day, imposes concrete travel restrictions and constant security risks in the artist’s daily life.
When Papier-Mâché Becomes a Matter of State
The exhibition offers a glimpse behind the scenes of his work and shows how an initial idea evolves into a sweeping political message. At the heart of his work lies the struggle for the freedom to provoke, criticize, and push artistic boundaries. As a keen observer, Tilly uncompromisingly harnesses the traditional “fool’s freedom” to subvert existing power structures within the political freedom of Carnival. With humor and sharp wit, his floats parody religious institutions, political structures, and social injustices.
Visitors can discover models of his large-scale sculptures from various decades, detailed sketches, as well as rare photographs and film documents. The range extends from historical works from the era of the Bonn Republic to the latest international reactions to Tilly’s work, which have ranged from enthusiastic applause to attempts at censorship. While the exhibition project “Freiräume—Between Change and Resistance” opens up new perspectives on community and understanding, the Tilly exhibition focuses on the question of how much satirical sharpness an open society can tolerate in the name of artistic freedom and where the boundaries between humor, provocation, and freedom lie.
