A special unit of the National People's Army in the former DDR was tasked with the production of fake weaponry and the development of camouflage techniques. After the reunion of Germany this practice was continued and still exists today. The work of the unit called 'Tarnen und Täuschen' (Disguise and Deception) consists of creating impressions and experiences. Therefore their work can be considered as an artistic intervention. The underlying principle of 'Tarnen und Täuschen' and their artisanal fake weaponry are used as metaphors in the series 'Disguise and Decepton' by visual artist Anika Schwarzlose (DE, 1982). With her photographs she navigates a world consisting of deception and illusion. The series reflects on the nature of the image, on military and artistic strategies. The images refer to the Cold War and simultaneously represent a situation that is still current today.

In the exhibition different categories of photographs are combined: archival photographs from the 'Tarnen und Täuschen' unit, photographs taken by Schwarzlose at the workshop and photographs of tools constructed by the artist. She made these tools to alter the perception of reality right in front of our eyes. In combination with the other photographs the role of perception and the principle of make belief is used in both military and artistic practices is emphasized.