“This exhibition is not merely a retrospective. It is an act of remembrance, of solidarity, and of gratitude for an artist who, with every image, seemed to say: I see you” commented one of the two curators of the exhibition, Udo Kittelmann.

Her ability to actually see people for who they were can be noticed in all of her practice: she documented with the utmost respect both strangers and acquaintances, from many different places and backgrounds.

The exhibition teaches us the power of connection, and the importance of the collective, seen in its disarming essence. It reminds us that nobody should be underneath or above us, but right with us, and that what should matter is what binds us together, not what pulls us apart.

Fotografiska is also showcasing until November 16, an impactful exhibition by Feng Li, titled White Nights in Wonderland. Our world is seen through the keen eyes of the photographer as a magical place, where unexpected suggestions create the most powerful imagery.

His poetry and irony uncover the surreal truths that are hidden in plain sight, and show a new universal side to it. His pictures are taken all over the world and are mixed together in a powerful global dance between light and darkness, fun and seriousness.

Kindl: Shared Experiences

On September 14, Kindl opened a series of new exhibitions, addressing the power of collective voices and experiences. The Rise and Fall of Erik Schmidt is a comprehensive overview of the work of the acclaimed German artist.

Spanning many different media, from photography to painting, from collage to performance, his practice is based on an ironic take on very important issues of our time: the role of identity and collectivity, the tension between reality and subjectivity, the contrast between personal freedom and political hierarchies. His performances question the cliches surrounding us, reminding us we always have a voice in the role we decide to play in the society we live in.

On another floor, Cihad Caner is addressing the compelling issue of exclusion, with his video work Demonst(e)rating the Untamable Monster (2019).

The project centres the experiences of two monster-like figures voiced by three individuals, reflecting on the mechanisms of othering, the concept of excluding someone from the collectivity because of the fear of difference.

It is a stunning and deeply moving work that makes us remember the importance of inclusion, understanding and resistance, in order to shape a really strong society.

In the Kesselhaus Cornelia Parker is presenting a stunning installation, talking about the power of collectivity through its common experience of nature. Stolen Thunder (A Storm Gathering) throws us inside an empty space, where there is only a light bulb hanging. Soon the sound of a powerful storm reaches us, making us feel unsettled from its terrifying uprising in a seemingly closed and protected space. Most of Parker's practice uses this unsettlement as a visual metaphor of the frightening state of our world and of our collective beliefs and desires.

The power of the installation lies also in the connection created between many different places in the world, through recordings of various storms assembled as one. “The idea of the storm as a powerful metaphor has been used liberally throughout the history of literature and cinema, reflecting political instability, the unpredictable power of nature, and the darker depths of man’s own psyche. With the ever-increasing threat of climate-related disasters as the planet heats up and fears of conflict as the political axis seismically shifts, this work seems to me to be ‘an idea whose time has come’” Cornelia Parker states.

HKW: Common Troubles

Haus der Kulturen der Welt (HKW) decided to address the constant threat of disruption that we are facing as a society with its exhibition Global Fascisms. It attempts to show the impact that fascism has had and still has on our world and on our lives in an evolving interconnected universe. Division takes the place of inclusion, violence becomes celebrated, our rights are threatened or taken away.

By bringing together the works of 50 international artists, the exhibition investigates fascism in many different times and forms, opposing it or showing its true colors and malicious ways. In a time like the current one, where the world is becoming more divided and polarized by the day, it is important to face this issue directly and find a way back to unity.

We all need to properly consider and understand notions such as ‘identity’ and ‘belonging’ before it is too late. We need to remind ourselves of the importance of our communities, in their beautiful variety and uniqueness.

Persons Projects: From One to Many

Persons Projects is presenting on November 1 the powerful work of artist Zofia Kulik. Her exhibition, Written in Her Own Hand, marks the journey of the artist from the duo she was part of to the discovery of her true individuality, and then back to the collectivity. Kulik worked with sculpture as a fluent process, without limits of time and space.

Her collaboration with her partner, the artist Przemysław Kwiek started soon and lasted until 1987, but at some point, it became more of a limit than an open dialogue. “What was the public supposed to forgive me for? I didn’t know exactly. Probably, emphasizing that I was not truly present, even if I appeared to be. I was nothing but part of a dimorphic hybrid in which my role was unclear. I was tired of that muteness within myself. I approached the public several times, only to fall onto my knees. I felt totally humiliated – but I asked for that. I needed such a situation, and I got it.”

The disconnection from her duo created a connection with the public, a journey she will always continue from that moment on. The artist was thus able to tell the story of her country, Poland, during the struggles of that time, while discovering her individual voice and unique archiving practice. The artist will also have her first monograph published by Thames & Hudson, with a book launch happening at Persons Projects on November 22.

C/O Berlin: Looking Further

C / O Berlin is hosting a powerful exhibition, celebrating the iconic work of 12 women photographers from Magnum Photo Agency. The exhibition, titled Close Enough, gets its title from a famous sentence said by Robert Capa: “If your pictures aren’t good enough, you’re not close enough”, challenging its sense in a new powerful way. Closeness is not simply about physical proximity, it is most of all about connection and trust. Through these important and shared starting points, all of these photographers were able to tell the stories of the people around them, while addressing the role of power dynamics and the importance of vulnerability. Their practices are about social changes, in many different countries around the world, and present the different yet common views of these incredibly talented women.

All the series are paired with a text written by the photographers, giving us an interesting insight on what was going through their mind while creating these stunning pictures. The exhibition itself is an effective reminder of the power of the community as a whole, in all its differences and shared feelings. Crossing physicality, self-staging, marginalized living conditions, education and daily moments some of the pictures also go back to subcultural scenes and protests.

Myriam Boulos for example tells the story of her country, Lebanon, across the troubling political times it went through, while keeping the voices of its citizens central. Talking about her documentation of the October 17 Revolution of 2019, she commented: “It was the first time that we came together on the streets. It was the first time that we claimed our city and our country. The proximity between our bodies fascinated me. My friends and I used to take pictures of ourselves naked in the streets of Beirut. It was our way of reclaiming our streets and our bodies – everything that was supposed to be ours to claim.” We get back to where we started, the importance of a community rising up and stating their shared voice.

This selection of exhibitions to see in Berlin made us remember the importance of community and collectivity. In a world that is everyday more individualistic and polarized we must remember that we are not alone and that together we can actually make the difference, in beautiful and unexpected ways. Don’t miss the chance to see these compelling exhibitions and see where this journey takes you.