Auguststrasse may only be half a mile long, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in artistic value. The micro-neighbourhood, nestled within Berlin’s Mitte district, is a burgeoning creative hub that is fast becoming the premier place to go to explore avant-garde contemporary art. Follow us into Auguststrasse and discover a captivating array of art galleries taking residence along the narrow street.
KW Institute for Contemporary Art
A leading name in the Berlin art scene, the KW Institute for Contemporary Art is a place where artists can not only present, but also create their work. The complex has several exhibition floors showcasing curated collections of contemporary pieces by national and international talents, and there’s also a collection of studios and apartments where visiting artists can join residency programmes for up to six months – their projects are then presented at the institute. If visiting Berlin during the summer, don’t miss the 9th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art, organised by the KW Institute for Contemporary Art, from 4th June to 18th September 2016.
Eigen + Art should be high on the list for anyone interested in the art galleries of Auguststrasse. The gallery specialises in contemporary art and presents an interdisciplinary collection of paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, films and conceptual artworks. Eigen + Art works predominantly with a fixed group of established artists, however up-and-coming local talents are also invited to make appearances from time to time. If you’re interested in the work of international artists not yet established in Berlin, visit the gallery’s second art hub, just off Auguststrasse. The subsidiary space, housed in a former girls’ school, specialises in offbeat, idiosyncratic artworks.
A prime space for art collectors, Me Collectors Room showcases the private art collections of some of the art world’s greatest collectors. Part-museum and part-gallery, Me Collectors Room (‘Me’ standing for ‘moving energies’) presents a range of permanent and temporary exhibitions. One unmissable exhibition is the Thomas Olbricht Collection, which features works spanning several decades from the Renaissance and Baroque eras to the modern day. With something new to discover on every visit, the venue hosts a constantly changing schedule of temporary exhibitions and events such as talks with artists and experts.
Since opening in 1995, Deschler has been a key player in the Auguststrasse art scene. The gallery supports young names in the experimental, contemporary art world and specialises in figurative art in the areas of painting, sculpture and new media. Visit to discover pieces by exciting artists from across the globe. Key exhibitions currently running include Austrian artist Xenia Hausner’s combinations of painting, photography and collage; local Berlin artist Stefan Roloff’s digital morphing of photographs into portraits; and New Yorker Tony Conway’s multi-layered imagery.
Round off a tour of Auguststrasse with a trip to DNA. The gallery is devoted to contemporary art and aims to inspire conversation though innovative, characterful collections. DNA predominantly showcases the works of Berlin-based artists but also maintains a strong international focus and regularly collaborates with galleries elsewhere in the world.
During an art tour of Berlin, stay at Hotel de Rome, located just a short stroll from Auguststrasse.
Image credits: Augustrasse © Wolfgang Staudt/flickr, Eigen + Art © Uwe Walter, Deschler © Ansicht
Those of Scottish heritage, or who hold an appreciation for its history, will no doubt have 25 January marked out to celebrate the birthday of famed Scotch poet Robert Burns. Read on to learn why Scotland’s Bard is so well-loved.
The Italian Renaissance didn’t just transform Italy, it cast a spell over London too. Even Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled over England and Ireland during this great period of growth, embraced the fascination, calling herself demi Italienne, or “half Italian”. Today, in certain pockets of the capital, the artistic, intellectual, and architectural influence of Renaissance Italy can still be felt.
With its lively festivals, world-renowned galleries and museums, and thriving food scene, Munich is one of Germany’s most culturally rich cities. Sometimes hailed ‘the most northerly city in Italy’, the Bavarian capital is known for its readiness to embrace a Mediterranean lifestyle the moment the sun appears, its appreciation for Italian art and architecture, and its year-round love of Italian cuisine.