In his new book, Daniel Hornuff, Professor of Design Theory and Practice at the Kassel Art Academy, examines the dynamics of typical ‘culture war’ issues. The focus is on debates concerning gender and climate change, the consequences of 7 October, and disputes over freedom of expression and artistic freedom, migration and cultures of remembrance. The author does not view the ‘Kulturkampf’ as a social reality, but rather as a form of political framing. According to one of his theses, this framing is used to label political opponents as enemies in order to stylise one’s own position as a bastion of political reason.
Published by J. B. Metzler, the book is the result of a research semester and comprises seven essays, thematically framed by an introductory and a concluding chapter. In the final chapter in particular, Hornuff argues for an attitude of political equanimity: for the stoic refusal to allow oneself to be drawn into spirals of escalation. Only in this way, he argues, can we reclaim the space in which politics can have a stimulating and liberating effect, rather than being worn down in battles of attrition. It is aimed at anyone interested in politics and social debates, as well as those who view current trends towards brutal simplification with concern and are seeking possible ways out.