English Speaking Artists in Berlin

Wohnmaschine

2007-07-05T04:07:00.000-07:00

http://www.wohnmaschine.de

Wohnmaschine was founded in 1988 by Friedrich Loock who began by showing work in his private apartment in East Berlin.

"Over the years the gallery developed a broad international program [of] artists who share a common interest in the investigation of narrative, fictional and figurative tendencies in contemporary art."

It is located at Tucholskystr. 35 and is one of the numerous galleries in the area of Mitte in between (and all reached by either) Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Platz (U8) or Oranienburger Tor (U6).

Galerie Berinson

2007-07-05T03:58:00.000-07:00

http://www.berinson.de

Galerie Berinson is a dealer for fine art and vintage photography with a focus on "bauhaus, dada, constructivism, surrealism, expressionism and new objectivity"

It is at August Str 22 and is one of the numerous galleries in the area of Mitte in between (and all reached by either) Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Platz (U8) or Oranienburger Tor (U6).

Jan Neuffer

2007-07-05T03:49:00.000-07:00

http://www.janneuffer.de/

The Jan Neuffer Gallery is run and only shows work by - yes you guessed it, Jan Neuffer. Originally a commercial photographer and graphic designer, the basis of his current work is digital collage.

The gallery is at August Str 19 and is one of the numerous galleries in the area of Mitte in between (and all reached by either) Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Platz (U8) or Oranienburger Tor (U6).

Internet Photographic Archive of the Berlin Arts Scene

2007-07-05T03:32:00.000-07:00

http://www.catonbed.de/2.html

This is a massive photographic archive of the Berlin Arts Scene by artist Jan Sobottka. The artist describes the work thus:

"I am hardly interested in judgements about the value of art or opinions on whether the work that is presented here is to be regarded as art or not. What does interest me is showing the amazing variety and the strong impulse of artistic statements in the city of Berlin."

It includes images of Galleries, Artists, Artist spaces etc - with listings as well for galleries that no longer exist (described as 'dead') - giving a sense of just how fluid this arts scene is.

[DAM] Berlin

2007-07-05T03:23:00.000-07:00

http://www.dam.org/berlin/

[DAM] Berlin is the commercial part of the Digital Art Museum project. The Digital Art Museum [DAM] is an online project which "aims to become the world's leading online resource for the history and practice of digital fine art.". Since 2005 [DAM] have launched the d.velop digital art award [ddaa], a lifetime award for pioneers of Digital Art. [DAM] can be found at

http://www.dam.org/

The bricks and mortar [DAM] Berlin is located at Tucholskystr. 37 and is one of the numerous galleries in the area of Mitte in between (and all reached by either) Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Platz (U8) or Oranienburger Tor (U6).

Galerie Eigen + Art

2007-07-05T02:08:00.000-07:00

http://www.eigen-art.com/

Eigen-Art is one of the 'big hitters' in Mitte: I was told that at the 2002 Documenta they dominated representation of the Berlin scene with 12 of their artists being selected (though I have not verified that fact). Have a look at their home page for the artists they are involved with, which include Carston Nicolai and Brigit Brenner.

They are located at August Str 26 and are one of the numerous galleries in the area of Mitte in between (and all reached by either) Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Platz (U8) or Oranienburger Tor (U6).

Deschler

2007-07-05T01:58:00.000-07:00

http://www.deschler-berlin.de/

Deschler's programme includes painting, objects, sculpture and new media - focusing on "figurative art and technical innovation".

It can be found at August Str 61 and is one of the numerous galleries in the area of Mitte in between (and all reached by either) Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Platz (U8) or Oranienburger Tor (U6).

Zak Gallery

2007-07-05T01:39:00.000-07:00

http://www.zak-gallery.com/

Zak Gallery on Linien Str 148 specializes in contemporary Eastern European video and photography. It shows work from emerging as well as established artists, ranging from the classic b/w photography to the conceptual works.

On the day I visited there was a range of photographic and small sculptural works; the basement also housed an installation piece. Oh, and there was an array of wonderful smelling flowers in the Gallery!

It is one of the numerous galleries in the area of Mitte in between (and all reached by either) Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Platz (U8) or Oranienburger Tor (U6).

Bereznitsky Gallery

2007-07-05T01:21:00.000-07:00

http://www.bereznitsky-gallery.com/cms/website.php

Bereznitsky Gallery at 144 Linien Str specializes in art from the Ukraine (it also has quite a pleasant leafy green courtyard!).

It is one of the numerous galleries in the area of Mitte in between (and all reached by either) Hackescher Markt, Rosenthaler Platz (U8) or Oranienburger Tor (U6).

After the Butcher

2007-07-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

www.after-the-butcher.de

This is an artist owned space in a former butchers shop in the district of Lichtenberg, in the east of the City. The family who own it (they also live above and have a studio / workshop there) curate regular exhibitions including paint, print, sculpture, video and live events. There is also a residency programme in the pipeline.

The opening that I attended of work by artists Megan Sullivan and Axel J Weider, had the friendliness of a small fete as it spilled from gallery space into family garden with children playing on swing.

The gallery space itself has interesting original features including shop front windows. If passing you can, as seems to be common in Berlin, pick up an invite for the next opening from the cardboard box taped onto the front door.

To get there take the S-Bahn to Noldnerplatz or Ostkreuz (the first being nearer), the gallery is at 25 Spitta Str. off Turrschmidt Str.

How to find out what's going on when in Berlin

2007-07-03T13:13:00.000-07:00

You can pick up these first two for free at cultural institutions in Berlin:

Berliner Galerien - this has mainly big or commercial galleries, it is a paid for listing so is not necassarily and indicator of quality.

Index - handy fold out postcard format with maps and listings of a more select range of galleries including independent and commercial. It apparently used to include artist lead spaces, but they no longer seem to be listed, perhaps because the artist led scene has grown so rapidly.

Zitty - a fortnightly magazine with arts listings that include artist lead spaces for 2.70 Euro.

Tippy - I have been told that 'Tippy' has a good listing but not encountered it yet, I will update here when I have.

MEINBLAU

2007-07-03T13:07:00.000-07:00

www.meinblau.de

This is a split-level gallery space in a complex that also houses 14 studios. The studio programme includes early career as well as established artists, international exchanges and “an office for philosophy/aesthetics/art theory”. The organisation was first established in 1997 and re-opened/re-organized in 2005 by means of European funding.

The exhibition I attended was a lively (visual) conversation between Yudi Noor (installation artist), Zascho Petkow (furniture designer) and Ingo the Wuntke (furniture designer). I enjoyed a happy half hour lounging in a big green seat, awaiting an end to the deluge of rain outside.

To get there take the U2 to Senefelder Platz, the gallery is a 10 minute walk away at 18/19 Christinen Str. – it is located round the back of the big courtyard at this address.

Weekly meetings for English Speaking Artists in Berlin

2007-07-03T13:02:00.000-07:00

Last night I went to a park in Schonhauser Allee in the north of the city, looking for a group of 'English Speaking Artists'. I found them in a nearby bar - The Bird - which had been selected as a 'bad weather' contingency meeting place.

The meetings are advertised on Craig's list

http://berlin.craigslist.org/ats/365553517.html

It is run by Paul Tilyard (web link below), an artist from Tasmania who has spent nearly a year living/working in Berlin. He described to me during the evening how he came to Berlin to meet more artists - the arts scene being somewhat smaller in his hometown - only to find himself isolated and working alone in his studio.

Resolving to do something about it, he advertised a weekly meeting point for English Speaking Artists on the Craig’s List site. After two months with some "disappointing" small meetings (1 to 4 people), a critical mass was reached and the events really took off. On the night I visited there was a healthy mix of 15 - 20 frequent attendees, people (like myself) new and people passing through.

There were a variety of 'stories' from short stay visitors, local German artists to long-term ex-pats. It was interesting to hear about the range of tactics artists use to support themselves in the City, including private English tuition, cooking and literature lessons. If I decide to stay on in Berlin beyond my residency, these meetings would provide the kind of network needed to help locate studios and find work.

The evening had a pleasant, informal and sociable atmosphere - the group was 'non-cliquey' and I was made to feel welcome.

In many ways the initial motivation for the meetings is quite similar to those that prompted me to start the network newcastleGRAFT in the NE. I was impressed by Paul’s determination - not giving up in the winter months, when few people were attending.

NewcastleGRAFT link: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newcastlegraft/

I was left inspired by the brilliant usefulness of such a simple resource funded only by generosity and perseverance.

http://www.paultilyard.com/

Boesners

2007-07-03T13:00:00.001-07:00

http://web-01.boesner.dus.de.serverscope.net/

A large traditional art material suppliers on Marienburger Str 16, selling everything from large stretchers, to frames, clay, rock, paint, paper etc. The nearest S-Bahn stops (either Prenzlauer or Greifswalder on the ring) are a bit of a hike away so either take a shopping trolley for all your goodies, or a tram stop might get you nearer.

Kunst Stoffe

2007-07-03T12:40:00.000-07:00

Kunst Stoffe is a warehouse offering recycled material, small workshops for hire (wood and textiles) and operating a range of community based events. It has also more recently housed exhibitions.

It is run in a voluntary capacity by Berliner artists and is a venture well worth supporting, as well as being a great place to pick up lots of 'stuff' such as old timber, half tins of paint, fabric, buttons, bobbins etc.

http://www.kunst-stoffe-berlin.de/

The materials warehouse is open on Fridays only, and houses a huge stock of fabric, wood, paint, paper, and other odds and ends. Kunst Stoffe is easily reached from the Pankow S-Bahn stop.

Kunstlerhaus Bethanien

2007-07-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

Kunstlerhaus Bethanien is a gallery and studios set in a stunning former hospital building and park in Marianplatz, near the Ubahn stop Kottbusser Tor.

As well as providing 25 studio spaces, accommodation and gallery space, the organization also undertakes an impressive range of activity including residencies, cultural project workshops, publishing, media labs and artists advisory services.

The residency programme can only be applied to through partner organizations, which can be found on the website below. Unfortunately at present it has no UK based partners - somebody fill that gap!

http://www.bethanien.de/en/

The gallery is located in Kreuzberg, a largely Turkish area: with more than half of all Berlin's buildings damaged or destroyed during WW2, Kreuzberg is home to a considerable pocket of pre-war architecture, it is worth a stroll to soak up both the contemporary and historical here.

Stedefreund

2007-07-03T08:38:00.000-07:00

www.stedefreund-berlin.de

This is at the top end of Rosenthaler Str. 3 close to Rosenthaler Pl. on the U8 north of Alexanderplatz; or if you prefer you can take a walk from Hackescher Markt on the main east/west S Bahn axis.

This project space is an artist led initiative involving 20 Berliner artists working in a variety of media. The space, like many artist lead projects in Berlin, makes use of a former office/mixed use building – the signage when I visited was very discreet so be careful not to walk past it.

There is a monthly exhibition schedule, two annual group exhibitions as well as the project ‘Edition 100’ – an evolving platform of the artists’ work, presented both in the project space and as printed material for sale.