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The exhibition Practice Space for Criticism is an experiment which actively tests out the concept of criticism. It addresses the following questions: how can we master the practice of criticism, which tools do we need to do so and how can we also prepare ourselves for situations in which we wish to express and receive criticism, whether positive or negative?
The ability to accept criticism is a key social skill when it comes to coexisting democratically with others, given the importance of entering into exchanges with others and negotiating different viewpoints. In order to strengthen this social skill, you need to have the courage to listen and understand your own viewpoint. The art to practising criticism is to tell another person how you see them or where you stand on a topic without offending them in the process – and, conversely, to be able to accept the opinions and insights of others without taking offense. 
In the form of a circuit training exercise, the practice space encourages participants to hone their critical abilities. Each station focuses on an area of critical practice, allowing participants to develop specific skills which can be applied to everyday situations. 

The Practice Room for Criticism DIY is a cooperation of the HFBK Hamburg with the Kursbuch Kulturstiftung and the Goethe Institut. Fot the cooperation a DIY kit of the Exercise Room for Criticism was developed, interested parties are provided with a construction manual, the necessary texts as well as a mediation program. 
Curator: Friedrich von Borries 
Exhibition design: Frieder Bohaumilitzky 
Mediation program: Anne Wilhelm · Frieder Bohaumilitzky
Exhibition graphic design: Anne Stiefel 

→ Building Instructions and Methodical Teaching Concept (en)
→ Bauanleitung und Zirkeltraining (de)