The sun is shining in Berlin and the city seems to be experiencing a collective orgasm as we put away our winter coats and spend our days camped out in parks eating ice cream.
While it seems impossible to tear yourself away from the sunshine, May is brimming with art events we think you’ll love. From spoken word to film and multidisciplinary exhibitions, there’s plenty to explore. Read our recommendations below and roll into summer with this selection of funky and eclectic events.
Eva & Adele – L’Amour Du Risque
meCollectors room
April 27 – August 27, 2018
The words ‘art’ and ‘performance’ can only begin to describe the work of Eva & Adele. Living a shared existence that they describe as FUTURING, the duo claims that they arrived in Berlin in 1989, born out of the future, with no concept of gender, and they have been challenging the art world ever since. Whether stepping out for groceries or attending a vernissage, Eva & Adele are always performing, living, creating art. In their manifesto, a looming set of 12 gilded wood pieces with words such as “CUM” and “MEDIA PLASTIC” boldly surrounding their faces, they state: “Wherever we are is a museum.”
Explore the retrospective of the artist-couple’s work at me Collectors room to immerse yourself in their extensive collection, with everything from paintings to video art, costume plans and sculptural installations. The exhibition opened during Gallery Weekend Berlin but you still have all summer to delve into their transgressive reality.
Curated by Girls “COME As You ARE”
St. Georg
May 3
“Loving myself as a woman was part of my journey in accepting my queerness. How do I break from the shackles of femininity and obedience whilst celebrating aspects of myself that make me different? Here is a photo about a part of myself that I’m taught to hate, but have made me softer and thus stronger.” – Ashanti Maluleke (artist)
Enjoy a healthy dose of self-love at the exhibition, COME As You ARE. Featuring 23 artists who are exploring ideas of body, identity, and cultural norms, the exhibition is a celebration of body positivity and diversity. To truly make the event a celebration, there will be a badass ‘only girls’ lineup: NOT YOUR GIRLFRIEND, Coco Maria, Golden Medusa, S Ruston, ASHUS. We look forward to learning the stories of these incredible artists and helping to create a space of love and acceptance. See you there!
MISS READ 2018: The Berlin Art Book Festival
Haus der Kulturen der Welt
May 4 – 6
Calling all book lovers, artists, (pseudo) intellectuals, and grammar freaks. Peruse the plethora of art/books at Miss Read 2018 for a feast of more than 250 publishers, art periodicals and artists/authors. This year has a special focus on Japanese publishers and on May 5th don’t miss the 6th Conceptual Poetics Day which will “explore the imaginary border between visual art and literature.”
The Great Falls: Photographic series by Michael Dalton
F.K.Kollektiv – FotoKlub Kollektiv
May 5 – 31, 2018
FK-Galerie is presenting Michael Dalton’s exhibition of The Great Falls following the publication of his new monograph by the same name. His photography captures the post-industrial environment and communities of The Great Falls National Park in the artist’s home state of New Jersey. With landscapes, cityscapes, and portraits, his work examines American themes of the great outdoors, hard work, and resilience. Stay tuned for a LOLA interview feature with the artist.
Art Bei Ton: Experience 1
Urban Spree
May 18
Join the launch party of the new Berlin-based label for electronic music and visual arts, Art Bei Ton, for a wicked evening of tunes and video art. With an 80% female line up featuring up and coming DJs, the night promises experimentation and improvisation. Don’t miss the video exhibition displayed via 2000’s TVs featuring artists Lola Rossi, Lucy Williams, Melle Skärfstad and Sig Valax.
GRRL HAUS CINEMA
Loophole Berlin
May 22
We’re psyched for another rendition of GRRL HAUS CINEMA, a program of experimental, imaginative, badass short films and video art made by women. This May we’re looking forward to an exciting international program of 12 shorts… and the teaser already has us wanting more! Stay on after for the after party featuring the Kyra Garéy band playing after the screening.
Walk in My Words #3 – Time
Du Beast
May 25
Celebrate the art of spoken word at Walk in My Words #3 with tales of time, the theme of the event. For this particular event, the performers will all swap stories and perform one another’s words. Whether spinning yarns or weaving webs, storytelling is as old as time and we’re excited to hear some timeless tales. Too much? Let’s just say we’re excited and leave the timely wordplay to the storytellers.