It is such a treat to return from a long summer holiday straight into the warm embrace of the Berlin Art Week. Art Week 2019 is offering an outstanding, exciting, rich program of cultural events, exhibition openings, screenings, workshops and more, as if to remind us all how lucky we are to be living in one of the most significant “Kunsthauptstadt” in the world.
This year’s program, which can be found here, may seem to be quite overwhelming. Well, it is. Therefore, one should work strategically. You simply can’t have it all. And, like my old friend Scarlet once said: “tomorrow is another day”.
The excellent exhibitions, such as: Bettina Pouttchi at the Berlinische Galerie (and while you’re there don’t miss the Bauhuas exhibition), “Walking through walls” at the Gropius Bau, WangShui at the Julia Stoscheck collection, Jonas Burgert with Gerhard Richter and Ernst Ludwig Kirchner at the me Collectors Room, are highly recommended. Having said that, take into consideration that those exhibitions are on for at least two more months, so curb your FOMO (“fear of missing out”).
The Art Berlin fair which opens today, held for the second year at the spectacular location of Tempelhofer Feld (Hangars 5, 6) is on only until this Sunday. The fair is focusing on young and established contemporary art and introducing 110 galleries from 16 countries. On Saturday and Sunday there are even guided tours for children. Just don’t forget to buy your tickets in advance to avoid the queues.
An intriguing project that can be visited this weekend is the Haus der Statistik – built near Alexanderplatz in 1968, as a seat of central data administration for the GDR. After reunification, it briefly harbored the federal bureau of the Stasi documents (GDR Intelligence), among other uses. The building has been standing empty for over a decade. In September 2015, a banner designed by the Berlin alliance of artists’ studios under threat announced the establishment of a center of socio-cultural purposes at the Haus der Statistik. An artistic intervention which has now turned into urban-political reality. today, it is a unique pilot project in which a broad coalition of urban actors are developing together. Statista is one of the many pioneer usages of the vast spaces of the Haus der Statistik. The complete program of events can be found here.
Another option is to visit one of the private collections which are usually closed for the public and open their doors in special occasions such as this one. Collection Regard for instance, which is dedicated to Berlin and German photography. Situated in Mitte and offers, in contrast to classic white-cube showrooms, a cozy setting. Open between 14:00 to 18:00 from the 12th until the 14th of September.
What I realized lately is that sometimes the most exciting exhibitions take place 5 minutes away from my home, though a bit under the radar. I will write about it on my next post.
Wishing you all an artsy weekend!