Days 10 & 11
Studio visits at Künstlerhaus Bethanien
A few days prior to this visit, we each selected which artists we would like to visit from the 18 currently undertaking a studio residency at Künstlerhaus Bethanien.
Künstlerhaus Bethanien, a cultural centre in the heart of Kreuzberg, Berlin, promotes international cultural exchange through its International Studio Programme. Artists accepted onto the programme are provided with studios and accommodation, the costs of which are covered by international bursaries. Each residency lasts, in general, for around 12 months. During this time, the resident artists are provided with support from Bethanien in the form of exhibition opportunities, establishing contact with international curators, critics, publicists, theorists, gallery owners and collectors. Whilst welcoming art professionals into their studios, the artists are also expected to connect with the local art scene and the general public.
Of the 18 artists I selected seven whom I felt had a practice that both interested me on a basic level and contained themes that I could connect to my own areas of research. The artists I chose were Liv Strand, Gerry Bibby, Michael Lee, Sharon Houkema, Joris van de Moortel, Linn Pedersen and Daniel Young.
Unfortunately on the day Liv, Joris and Daniel were unavailable, but I was able to tag along to the visit to Constantinos Taliotis‘s studio – a spur of the moment decision I’m very glad I made.
Taliotis, a Cypriot artist, works predominantly with photography. His series You can be a cop, a criminal or a lawyer. When you are facing a loaded gun what’s the difference? translates his obsessive examination of cinema – more sepecifically ganster films and B-movies – as he conjours up an exquisitely executed still of an imaginary scene in an imaginary movie. Constantinos talked at length about the use of Modernist architecture in film, particulalrly how villains in Bond movies are always portrayed as living in a Modernist building. I found his work fascinating.
Another of the artists who really excited me was Michael Lee. His work displays real craftmanship, whilst also possessing an inventive playfulness. His recent project from this year’s Kuandu Biennale, Office Orchitect, presents a retrospective of imaginary architect KS Wong. Wong’s (Lee’s) architectural models, focusing on failure and fate are sublime. I love the Sponge-block Square-platz building.
Of all the artists I visited over the two days, some came across more welcoming than others and some were more equipt to convey the thought processes behind their work. I did however enjoy every visit and, as should be expected from such a highly regarded residency programme, the work is of an extremely high standard.
