Image Courtesy of Berlin Art Week.
As autumn sneakily tiptoes into Berlin, the city’s sunny catwalk is stolen by the rain’s parade. People start to miss their summertime partner, the clear blue sky. Berlin Art Week bounces in, sprinkling a dash of creativity all over the city, like confetti on a cloudy day. It’s not just art, it’s a city-wide party of expression that jazzes up our streets and galleries of Berlin. You might not get your daily dose of vitamin D but you certainly can get inspired and refreshed by some invigorating art intake. Like every year, galleries all over town open their doors and showcase a diverse array of pieces to the public. Both inspiring creations from renowned artists and new works from fresh faces who are just beginning to make their mark in the art world are there to discover during the week.
SLEEK has handpicked some unique and captivating events for the upcoming Berlin Art Week to kickstart into the new season.
Image Courtesy of Ebsen Weile Kjaer
MILKY WAY : ESBEN WEILE KJAER
This event is a testament to Kjær’s artistic prowess, seamlessly marrying celestial themes with contemporary aesthetics. Let the distinct vision guide you on an authentic journey through the universe, where cosmic wonder meets art. “Milky Way” provides a unique insight into how the cosmos has shaped modern creativity. This exhibition at TRAUMA is the chance to appreciate Kjær’s remarkable work first-hand and partake in the grand unveiling of this extraordinary exhibition.
Opening Sep 14th 7PM | Sun 12PM-6PM| Heidestraße 50,TRAUMA, 10557 Berlin
Image Courtesy of Antotny Valerian & Jonathan Monaghan
SLEEK ART SPACE
SLEEK is excited to announce the transformation of our Berlin Mitte office into a dynamic art venue at Alexanderplatz, marking the beginning of an ongoing series featuring leading contemporary artists.
We’re starting this journey with hand-picked exhibits by Antony Valerian and Jonathan Monaghan, marking the beginning of a series that celebrates the best of contemporary art. Hailing from Hamburg, Antony Valerian is celebrated for his innovative use of oil painting on different surfaces. His art delves into the depths of identity and cultural heritage through an ever-changing palette of color and form. Jonathan Monaghan, crossing continents from the United States, seamlessly merges 3D animation with digital printmaking. His almost dream-like creations provoke thoughts on consumerism, technology, and the digital realm. We invite you all to be part of this new chapter with SLEEK!
Image Courtesy of Göksu Kunak
GÖKSU KUNAK: INNOCENCE
“Innocence” navigates deep into the themes of purity, guilt, and redemption. It is based on the Susurluk scandal, a notorious car crash in Turkey in the 1990s. The compelling storyline and captivating visuals aim to provoke thought and captivate viewers, presenting a unique viewpoint on the intricate aspects of human nature. It’s an exploration that invites you to reflect on your understanding of emotions.
Opening September 11th | Thur- Sat 8PM| Sophienstraße 18, 10178 Berlin
Image Courtesy of UDK Halbahus
SILVER LINING: FINAL EXHIBITION AT UDK HALBHAUS
KUNZTEN and UdK HalbHaus are ecstatic to present “Silver Lining”. This dynamic, multi-platform event pays tribute to a rich tradition of artistic excellence, bringing the proverb “Every cloud has a silver lining” to life. The exhibition features the latest works from 13 renowned artists including Geli Derzapf, Siyavash Ghassemzadehgan, and Bailey Keogh, to name a few. Visitors can delve into a diverse array of art forms—from paintings and sculptures to videos and installations—all enriched by live performances, screenings, and multimedia installations from UdK’s Performing Arts, Sound Studies, and Costume Design departments.
Opening September 11th 6PM-11PM| Thur- Sun |UdK HalbHaus, Potsdamer Straße 120, 10785 Berlin
Image Courtesy of Rirkrit Tiravanja
Renowned Thai artist Rirkrit Tiravanija returns to Berlin Art Week with a captivating series of installations that challenge conventional boundaries between art and audience. Known for his groundbreaking work that transforms spaces into interactive, communal experiences, Tiravanija invites viewers to engage directly with his art. His practice blurs the lines between artist and participant, often turning exhibitions into dynamic environments to create dialogues. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in Tiravanija’s transformative vision, celebrating the intersection of art, life, and community.
Opening September 11th 7PM-10PM| Wed- Sun 12PM-10PM | Gropius Bau Niederkirchnerstraße 7, 10963 Berlin
Image Courtesy of Wilhelm Hallen
WILHELM HALLEN: BLURRED AND ART PANEL TALK
Berlin Art Week will feature a panel talk that offers a profound look at how art can challenge perceptions and drive social change, showcasing Fanghänel’s dynamic contributions to contemporary art. Fanghänel’s retrospective exhibition, “BLURRED,” celebrates 15 years of his distinctive photographic practice and captures the subtleties of everyday life, inviting viewers to delve into the nuanced interplay between reality and representation. In a complementary event, Fanghänel joins Iranian street artist Nafir for the panel discussion “The Never Ending Fight,” hosted by Hallen 05. This dialogue will explore the potent intersection of art and human rights. The conversation will highlight their use of art to address social issues, blending photography with traditional Iranian motifs to advocate for human rights.
Opening September 7th| Wed- Sun 11AM-8PM / Wilhelm Hallen Kopenhagener Straße 60—72, 13407 Berlin
Image Courtesy of KW INSTITUTE
KW INSTITUTE FOR CONTEMPORARY ART
Die KW Institut für zeitgenössische Kunst is a genuine hub for avant-garde contemporary art in Berlin, celebrated for its diverse set of international exhibitions and projects. At present, the institute showcases “Pia Arke: Arctic Hysteria,” “Luiz Roque: Estufa,” and “Jimmy DeSana & Paul P.: Ruins of Rooms,” offering an intriguing mix of expanded cinema, visual art, and critical theory. It’s not just an institute, it’s a genuine conversation platform for artists and the public, standing as a beacon of artistic innovation and dialogue.
Wed- Sun 11AM-7PM / KW Institute for Contemporary Art – Auguststraße 69, 10117 Berlin
Image Courtesy of Sigmar Polke
SIGMAR POLKE : DER HEIMISCHE WALDBODEN. HÖHERE WESEN BEFAHLEN
The exhibition is delving into the works of renowned German artist Sigmar Polke. It immerses the audience in Polke’s diverse artistry, using the forest floor metaphor to explore the unseen. Known for his inventive exploration, Polke’s art blends reality with the fantastical. The exhibition scrutinizes how his art transcends norms, intertwining art, science, and mysticism, revealing profound meanings within everyday life, – including rarely seen pieces. In the GDR-era spaces of the Schinkel Pavillon, Sigmar Polke’s works confront war, militarization, and displacement, while reflecting on the power of mass media. His fascination with the influence of visual information continues to inspire younger artists, proving how relevant his work remains, making him a timeless and forward-thinking critic of his era.
Opening September 1th| Thur- Sun 11AM-7PM | Schinkel Pavillon Oberwallstraße 32, 10117 Berlin
Image Courtesy of Mariechen Danz
MARIECHEN DANZ : EDGE OUT – GASAG KUNSTPREIS 2024
Mariechen Danz’s latest exhibition, Edge Out, is currently captivating audiences at the Berlinische Galerie. Challenging conventional views on art and identity, Danz’s novel approach intertwines spatial and performative aspects. She boldly disrupts traditional artistic norms, creating immersive experiences that explore personal and societal boundaries. The exhibition space morphs under her unique artistry, becoming a vibrant platform that prompts visitors to interact and reevaluate their own constraints.
Opening September 12h 7PM-10PM| Fri- Sun 10AM-6PM | Berlinische Galerie Alte Jakobstraße 124—128, 10969 Berlin
Image Courtesy of Mikolaj Sobczak