From September 15, 2026, through February 14, 2027, Rijksmuseum Twenthe, in collaboration with the art and technology festival GOGBOT, presents the exhibition *Democracy NOW?* At a time when democracies worldwide are under pressure, 15 national and international artists explore how power and systems function, how images influence us, and what role we ourselves play.
Artist Jonas Staal demonstrates how propaganda not only manipulates opinions but also creates entirely new realities. Through her detailed maps, Carlijn Kingma reveals the hidden structures of our society and proposes new ways of living together. Peter Zegveld’s installations allow you to experience how seductive—and at the same time dangerous—mass behavior and leadership can be. And in his video L’État c’est moi, Johannes Büttner depicts the kind of society that can emerge when people turn their backs on democracy.
Through these and other artists, you’ll discover how leadership is portrayed, how propaganda shapes our thinking, and how systems mold our society. Artists make visible what often remains invisible: the stories we tell each other about our democracy and the ways in which those stories change.
Democracy NOW? invites you to look beyond the daily news and the polarized debate. What is democracy, really? Who has influence? Why does Western, liberal democracy no longer seem to function? And what does the society we want together look like?
The exhibition is for everyone: whether you visit museums often or not at all. With artworks, installations, and an extensive public program in collaboration with, among others, the Enschede Library, Pakhuis Oost, and the University of Twente, there is plenty of room to look, discover, and contribute your thoughts.
At the end of your visit, we’ll ask you one question: What does democracy mean to you?
