ART CURATION
TRACES OF VIOLENCE
As of September 2021 we have moved into our own art space in Berlin Schöneberg and invite artists and researchers to use the 200 square meter location to elaborate, present and discuss their ideas. Together with established art gallery ARTCO, we are also offering communication and distribution channels to promote the specific positions. In Berlin and elsewhere, we connect our various projects with social initiatives that create a benefit for the respective communities. We donate 100% of the profit from dedicated artworks, artist editions and merchandising to platforms linked to the specific project. Thx again for your support!
AMICS DE LA TERRA
This multi-media art exhibition examined the relation between nature, art and cultural identity. Mallorca as an island and the global pandemic as a period of isolation, both can lead to detachment from society. In the case of Mallorca, however, the combination of these two factors has recently led to a new wave of creativity. in particular a rediscovery of local materials and traditions. Through photography, sculpture, painting, film and textiles, the contributing artists addressed various aspects of island life, including political and socio-economic influences that have long existed as part of Mallorca’s communal heritage.
The exhibition was curated by Benjamin Merten & Lily Sielaff for Mallorcalma – an online platform dedicated to exploring the soul of the island, its natural splendor as well as all forms of sustainable living. Part of the profits will still be donated to Amics de la Terra, an NGO that has as its goal in the preservation of Mallorca’s environment. Works by: Anna Alexandra, Kate Bellm, Vera Edwards, Claire O’Keefe, Balthazar Klarwein, Adriana Meunié, Xim Izquierdo, Carlota Santamaria, Toni Salom
PEEPAL & BANYAN (2021)
Borrowing the names of these two trees from the Indian Subcontinent, this multi-disciplinary exhibition explored the work of contemporary Pakistani artists in the context of a globalized art scene. By virtue of their spiritual significance, Peepal and Banyan epitomise the flow of life across generations in South Asia. Their wide crowns may provide shelter, representing peace and sociality, just as their rhizomatic roots, folds and multiple stems may evoke both diversity and confusion. This tension between traditional ideals and innovative efforts very much shapes modern Pakistani cultural experience.
The exhibition opened up a dialogue between the local and the global, between critical agendas and historical traditions. It amplified discourses around shared responsibilities and engaged artistic production as a political tool. Dance, performative arts, illustration, film, photogography and digital media created an emotional portal to contemporary South Asian realities and a starting point for collaborative thinking. Curated by Benjamin Merten, Amna Mawaz Khan and Zara Sajid.
Dance performance by FMKF Collective, choreographed by Franka Marlene Foth and Amna Mawaz-Khan.
CONCRETE LIMBO (2020)
The spatial art platform Limbo Accra intervenes in existing infrastructures of uncompleted properties by interweaving and connecting site-specific, socially engaged art projects. With this exhibition, we amplified their mission of increasing global awareness towards West Africa’s spatial environs and helped establish a trans-continental dialogue of space and responsibility. We are happy to have been able to present the show, music listening sessions, performances and panels at Haus der Statistik - a role model project for city planning and architectural development in Berlin. Artists: David Alabo, Diana Ejaita, Durimel, Elihu Ashong, Ethan Michael Owu, Laila Hida, Nana Osei Kwadwao, Owusu-Ankomah, Ofoe Amegavie, PatrickTagoe-Turkson, Serge Attukwei Clottey, Sierra Nallo, Simohamed Fettaka. Photos by Johanna Ghebray, Daniele Ansidei and ArtCineMove. More infos
MITTEN IM VAKUUM
The exhibition title ‚Mitten im Vakuum’ referred to empty spaces that open up in times of social upheaval. A vacuum that absorbs the individual aspiration for change; with the existential quest for impact. A stance that can likewise be found in our present culture and was negotiated within the framework of an exhibition through 13 contemporary artistic positions by AbBA, Daniele Ansidei, Malte Bartsch, Ekaterina Burlyga, Nadja Buttendorf, Sky M. J. Carranza, Monika Jagoda, Felix Kiessling, Philipp König, Manfred Pernice, David Polzin, Lena Szankay and Wermke/Leinkauf. I curated the show at ‘Haus der Statistik’ together with Johanna Landscheidt and with assistance by Gloria Holzer. #thxagain!
STUDIOLO BERLIN
With STUDIOLO, we had founded a curatorial space dedicated to the mediation of contemporary creativity. Prominently positioned on the city terrace of the Aufbau Haus at Moritzplatz the vitreous space presents a unique location for the presentation and communication of contemporary art, architecture, design and culture.
THE MELTING BLACK by Carla Chan.
During Gallery Weekend 2015, STUDIOLO Berlin opened its doors to the public for the first time with a site-specific installation by young and upcoming artist Carla Chan from Hong Kong. Minimal in style and form, Chan’s art works often toy with the blurred boundaries between reality and illusion, figure and abstraction. Her specially conceived new work The Melting Black is a multichannel video installation that visually explores tidal movement unfolding in space. Displayed on five video monitors, each with a slight offset of distance and scale, a seemingly coherent but erratic spatial and kinematic experience is generated. The inversion of the vertical and horizontal visual axes further enhances the ambiguity of the work. It challenges our visual customs and perceptual habits and opens up a new dimension of seeing movement and change in nature.
Photos by Nadja Wohlleben
EVA NON PIACE by Martina Dimitrova and Julian Wiesemes
Martina Dimitrova's 5 minutes short film is a declaration of love and diversity, and a call for vitality — paying tribute to Memphis Design, Camp Culture and old classics such as 'Modern Times'. This imagined world, evidently dominated by design and looks, is nevertheless dissolving within a love story — reminding us to forget all the superficial distractions in life. The short was shown next to her conceptual scenographic extension: a cityscape miniature model, which transforms Italian renaissance into a playful postmodern outdoor set. A hommage to the infamous Ettore Sottsass, Robert Venturi, Matteo Thun and so many more.
In addition, director and photographer Julian Wiesemes was presenting his interpretation of this visual utopia. His still-life series is turning Dimitrova's scenography into abstract, almost graphic, visual landscapes. Thanks to graphic artist Camille Walala (text panels for the film) and Japanese illustrator Yoko Honda (movie poster design) an even more extended view on postmodernism and 80s culture is created. May our stiff and serious world be liberated by stylistic freedom and acceptance for all kinds of derailments. The event at STUDIOLO Berlin was co-hosted by CAUSE & EFFECT Magazine, a hardback annual magazine that marries fashion and social politics.
LONGING by Daniele Ansidei and Jonathan Olivares
The exhibition Longing at Studiolo Berlin brought together the work of Berlin-based photographer Daniele Ansidei and Los Angeles based industrial designer Jonathan Olivares. Co-hosted by Marco Velardi of Apartamento Magazine, the exhibition critically enquired through the medium of photography and sculpture one of the most persistent human experiences: the sensation of longing – the longing for the other, the unknown, the exotic.
Q REVOLT by Rita Braz
Q Revolt is a portrait book about women who love women, aiming to break the stereotype so alive in our society. From the butch to the lipstick, and everything in between, this book is about celebrating the whole spectrum and the diversity of women who have in common their sexual orientation. Co-hosted by EDITION F, the exhibition aims to show diversity within this specific minority, which the artist is part of:
“Q Revolt was born back in 2013 when traveling with a friend through Croatia and Bosnia and we felt so aware how different our lives would be if we’d be living there instead of Berlin. Somewhere in Sarajevo I saw “Q REVOLT” written on a wall in red letters. I had no idea what it meant but to me it was the start of a journey. I wanted to show something to the world and hopefully be able to change opinions about women like me and my friend.”
The show at STUDIOLO Berlin featured a selection of portraits and a book presentation - co-hosted by Edition F and straight Magazine. Photos by Jakob Nawka.
MADE BY YOU feat Stefan Marx & Koudlam
Responsible for the activation of the Converse Concept Store in Berlin Mitte, we curated changing exhibitions throughout 2015. The shop re-opened under the campaign umbrellar of MADE BY YOU. This line is a call-out to creatives around the world to express themselves, so we invited Stefan Marx to show his drawings in the back of th store. The opening was celebrated with a concert by Koudlam and DJ Egon Elliut. Throughout the year we then organized several store take-overs to present installations, music listenings and workshops by the Brand's creative community. Interior by SUNST STUDIO. Photos by Julia Nitzschke. Recap video by Filmcake
COME AS YOU ARE by Black Cracker & Ahmad Larnes
For the second take-over, Berlin based multi talent Black Cracker performed his singles TIDE and WATERFALL (with Ahmad Larnes/SCHWARZ DONT CRACK). Guests could indivudually add visuals on a 3D mapped video projection in the back of our store. Photos of the opening and first take-over by Julia Nitzschke.
ACT NATURAL by Charles Benjamin
ACT NATURAL was the third take-over in the Converse Concept Store. We curated an exhibition by Charles Benjamin & Egon Elliut merging electronic music and visual art into a multimeid installation. The show was opened with a launch party feat. a stunning live set by Egon Elliut and a memorable tombola moderated by Charles Benjamin raffling Chucks. Photography: Paul Aidan Perry
