Blind Date with the Future

German duo Haubitz + Zoche were among the first artists in Germany to address climate crisis in their work. The book Blind Date with the Future gives a comprehensive overview of the artistic projects on ecological issues such as sea level rise or dwindling resources that they have realised between 2006 and 2022. In the context of current climate debates their oeuvre is becoming increasingly relevant.

An art-historical essay by Ann-Katrin Günzel and an interview between Franziska Kunze and Stefanie Zoche provide background information on the artworks. The text section is supplemented by two scientific essays: Stefan Rahmstorf, one of the leading climate researchers, summarizes the current state of knowledge about sea-level rise, while Jens Soentgen offers a philosophical-scientific reflection on the mobilization of matter in the Anthropocene.

Stefanie Zoche (1965) and Sabine Haubitz (1959-2014) worked together for sixteen years. After Haubitz’ death in 2014, Zoche has continued the work in her own name. As an artist duo they worked with a variety of media such as photography, video, sculpture, and installation, reflecting on urban space, architecture, and the element water. In later years of their collaboration, climate crisis and other ecological issues became the focus of their work. Meanwhile Stefanie Zoche has turned her attention to sand as a dwindling resource and is currently working on alternative building materials to cement. Haubitz + Zoche were represented at the Havana Biennial in 2012. In 2007 they received the German Photo Book Award for Sinai Hotels, in 2016 the German Architecture Photo Book Award for Hybrid Modernism.

With text contributions by Dr. Ann-Katrin Günzel (art historian, author, guest editor of Kunstforum), Dr. Franziska Kunze (art historian, curator at Pinakothek der Moderne), Prof. Stefan Rahmstorf (oceanographer and climatologist at Potsdam Institute for Climate Research, Professor at Potsdam University) and Dr. Jens Soentgen (chemist, philosopher, head of the Augsburg Science Centre).