London, England, 1970s. © Paul McCartney / Photographer: Linda McCartney
It’s with great relief that we can say winter is finally coming to a close: suddenly, it’s bright past 5pm and the world feels light with possibility. With that in mind, it’s time to start making plans for the month ahead, from all-women photography exhibitions and film festivals, to Debbie Harry and exploring our digitalised present—here’s what you have to see and do this month in the German capital.
3 March
Eckman/Eyal—Komische Oper Berlin
Following the success of her stunning Half Life performance last year in Berlin, the Israeli choreographer is back in the German capital with Strong—a new characteristically personal, emotional and creative performance. Eyal will also be performing alongside Alexander Ekman, who is collaborating with hair artist, Charlie Le Mindu, on his piece Lib. The performance will also take place on 30 March.
Haifaa Al-Mansour, The Perfect Candidate, 2019.
5-9 March
Berlin Feminist Film Week
As the Berlinale comes to a close for another year, fret not, because March sees the Berlin Feminist Film Week take place, with a vibrant roster screenings by female and non-binary filmmakers, including celebrated names such as Haifaa Al-Mansour, Katja von Garnier and Ulrike Ottinger alongside newcomers Elliot Blue, Thuy Trang Nguyen and Elisha Smith-Leverock.
From Space2, Providence, Rhode Island, 1976 © Estate of Francesca Woodman/Charles Woodman/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2020.
6 March
Linda McCartney: The Polaroid Diaries and Francesca Woodman: On Being an Angel—C/O Berlin
We couldn’t be more excited for this double-bill at C/O Berlin. Where Francesca Woodman is known for her ghostly self-portraiture, Linda McCartney is best remembered for her everyday, candid snapshots. Here, the late image-makers will be celebrated in two very special showcases.
9 March
Debbie Harry & Chris Stein in conversation—Funkhaus Berlin
New wave icon Debbie Harry and Blondie co-founder Chris Stein are set to discuss their punk band Blondie and their continued collaboration throughout the years in Funkhaus’s iconic Saal 1.
19 March
Carrier Bag Fiction—Haus der Kulturen der Welt
To celebrate the launch of Ignota Books publication of Ursula K. Le Guin’s influential essay “The Carrier Bag Theory of Fiction”, with an introduction by Donna Haraway and illustrations by Lee Bul, the experimental publishing outfit will be hosting an evening of art and thinking around Le Guin’s ‘carrier bag’ —with Sophia Al-Maria, Hito Steyerl, Victoria Sin, Jesse Darling and more.
Spy on Me #2—Artistic manoeuvres for the digital present—HAU
Returning for a second round, Spy on Me is the festival exploring the ramifications of our digital present. Installations, films and talks by the likes of James Bridle and feminist, queer and tech-positive network dgtl fmnsm will explore the nature of living within and beyond the infinite web of technology.
21 March
John Heartfield—Photography plus Dynamite—Akademie der Künste
One of the most innovative artists of the 20th century, John Heartfield is best known for his political photomontages that railed against Nazism. To celebrate the digitalisation of his estate, this is a must-see exhibition in an age where political satire through imagery and internet memes has never had so much cultural significance.
Final Fantasy nach Oscar Wildes "Salome" Volksbühne Berlin, Dritter Stock.
23 March
Final Fantasy—based on Oscar Wilde’s Salomé—Volksbühne Berlin
Final Fantasy is a many-layered story of sexual desires, traditional expectations and imaginations based on Oscar Wilde’s tragedy. Director Lucia Bihler takes to the stage herself and, together with an ensemble of five other performers, invites the audience to enter a strange and fantastical world.
26 March
Francesca Woodman lecture With Abigail Solomon-Godeau—C/O Berlin
Pioneering photography art historian Abigail Solomon-Godeau discusses the work of the late photographer in relation to her exhibition at C/O Berlin and how the role of women in the art world has developed since the ‘70s. Solomon-Godeau is set to ask how can Woodman’s work be classified today and how has the discourse changed since her death?
Lee Mingwei, Guernica in Sand, 2006. Courtesy: Taipei Fine Arts Museum.
27 March
Lee Mingwei: 禮 Li, gifts and rituals—Gropius Bau
Lee Mingwei’s artistic practice focuses on rituals of giving and receiving gifts. From 27 March through to June, Gropius Bau presents a solo exhibition, which presents his performances and installations of the past three decades and examines art as a transformative gift.