Reopening of Neuer Berliner Kunstverein n.b.k.
In 2008, a change in generations has taken place: since January of this year, Marius Babias has been n.b.k.’s new director.
He chose Frankfurt artist Silke Wagner for his first exhibition, exploring n.b.k.’s structures for exhibitions and public outreach structures as well as its two collections—Artothek and Video Forum. Wagner has developed sculptural presentation displays and neon works that refer to the new social movements and link them to artistic questions. Selected video works from n.b.k.’s collection (Vito Acconci, Lynda Benglis, Hermine Freed, Valie Export, Bruce Nauman, Wolf Vostell, etc.) will be shown as part of the exhibition. Together with Silke Wagner, the presentation of Video-Forum (1,000 videos) and Artothek (4,000 works) have also been revamped. Access to the holdings has been simplified: for n.b.k., both collections are important instruments for promoting Berlin artists and show a commitment to the democratic conception of cul tural education.
On Sunday, July 6, 2008 a podium discussion will be held to mark n.b.k.’s reopening. The subject: The Art Institution Without Condition. What instituent practices lead to new models of collaboration with artists and institutions? Participants are: Solvej Helweg Ovesen, Nina Möntmann, Katya Sander, Silke Wagner. The discussion will be led by Sophie Goltz.
In cooperation with berlinaut.dk.
To accompany the exhibition, Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König in Cologne is publishing a catalog. In the future, n.b.k. will be publishing together with Verlag der Buchhandlung Walther König the n.b.k. book series Exhibitions, Discourse, and Berlin.
Monica Bonvicini - Interventions: July 6–August 17, 2008 - Opening: Saturday, July 5, 2008, 7pm - Monica Bonvicini was invited to realize a project for the presentation of the n.b.k. team. With this intervention, she is combining institutional critique with questions of fashion.
Jutta Koether/John Miller - Music Performance: Sunday, August 17, 2008, 7pm - Jutta Koether and John Miller present a musical performance to mark the closing of the Silke Wagner exhibition and Monica Bonvicini’s intervention.
Opening hours Exhibition: Tuesday–Sunday, 12–6pm / Thursday, 12–8pm
Opening hours Video-Forum/Artothek: Tuesday/Thursday, 2–8pm / Wednesday/Friday, 2–6pm
