Dear friends of the arts and muses,
As 2024 draws to a close, we reflect on a year spent deeply exploring the pressing questions of memory and identity in an increasingly fragmented world. This journey has brought forth fresh perspectives on historical legacies and personal narratives, demonstrating time and again the profound ways in which art engages with the issues of our era. As we look back, we wish to revisit some of the year's key moments, which centred not only on artistic endeavours but also on fostering intellectual exchange.
Opening words by the curators JMH Schindele and Eleonora Frolov on 17 August 2024
The exhibition ‘New Memories (El Arbi Bouqdib Archive)’
August to October at Pumpwerk Berlin: identity as a collective narrative
The exhibition ‘New Memories’ opened in August at a new venue, the former Altglienicke waterworks in southern Berlin. A significant milestone this year, it explored the intricate interplay of memory and identity through the archive of El Arbi Bouqdib. More than just a retrospective of an extraordinary thinker and outsider, the exhibition became a space where memory was presented as a fluid and dynamic concept. Bouqdib’s archive, a fascinating amalgamation of science, philosophy, and mystical reflections, served as the foundation for nine exceptional artists, each interpreting this multifaceted cosmos in their own distinctive way.
The installation ‘The Flower and Death’
The works of the artists
The works featured in the exhibition were far more than aesthetic objects; they embodied a profound philosophical inquiry into the nature of memory, the impact of digitalisation, and the interplay between faith and science. Sergey Bratkov’s installation investigated the Koranic code and the significance of the number 19, while Elshan Ghasimi’s concept album ‘The Flower and Death’, along with Stark & Shakupa’s video installation of the same name, blended classical Persian music with contemporary biography and conceptual art. Ben Greber’s ‘Mr & Mrs Bouqdib’ offered a compelling exploration of the relationship between the unequal couple, while Michal Martychowiec, Patrick Panetta, and Max Schaffer delved deeply into the themes of memory and materiality through their thought-provoking works.
Events as places of intellectual exchange
Beyond the exhibition itself, a rich programme of events further enhanced the experience, strengthening the connections between diverse arts, cultures, and intellectual discourse. A standout highlight was the concert by Elshan Ghasimi and Philipp Püschel, which mesmerisingly blurred the lines between classical Persian music, jazz, and electronic sounds, showcasing art as a bridge between cultures and traditions. Additionally, talks and curator-led tours with the participating artists and academics provided deeper insights into the works, shedding light on their philosophical, historical, and artistic dimensions.
Click on the photo to watch the trailer of DUO Ghasimi & Püschel, founded in 2024, and their new programme SHANAMEH (The Book of Kings).
Fellowship for Sergey Bratkov
In 2024, the Berlin Senate awarded the renowned Ukrainian artist Sergey Bratkov the ‘Weltoffenes Berlin’ fellowship, along with a grant that allowed him to further develop his artistic voice and establish his position in his new home city of Berlin. Bratkov was joined in this endeavour by curator Eleonora Frolov. This marks the second time the Bublitz platform has sponsored this prestigious fellowship.
During this period, Bratkov has participated in numerous significant exhibitions and biennials. Highlights include My Brother’s Cats at the Kunstmuseum Magdeburg, Ukrainian Dreamers at the Kommunale Galerie Berlin, and Sense of Safety at the Yermilov Centre in Kharkiv, among others. Additionally, Sergey Bratkov and Eleonora Frolov have launched the ‘Bratkov + Frolov’ class, a series of inspiring workshops on conceptual photography held at the Schwartzsche Villa.
For those interested, guided tours of Bratkov’s new studio or his current works can be arranged via email upon request.
One of Bratkov’s new works, Horoscope for the European Union, created for the exhibition ‘New Memories’, features a cactus caught between staying in its pot or leaving it—a striking metaphor for the indecision and complexities of our era.
Greetings and outlook for 2025
We look ahead to the new year with confidence and warmly invite you to anticipate exciting upcoming projects, including Elshan Ghasimi’s latest Tasneef work cycle, premiering on 17th March at the Catholic Academy Berlin.
Finally, we extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped shape 2024 with us: our artists, supporters, visitors, partner institutions, philanthropists, and all those whose dedication makes our work possible.
Kind regards and best wishes for a reflective end to the year,
Eleonora Frolov & JMH Schinde
If you’re still searching for a meaningful gift as the year comes to a close, consider the exclusive edition of Ben Greber’s work ‘Mr. & Mrs. Bouqdib’. The ‘souvenir flowers’ from Maggie Bouqdib’s garden are intricately crafted from El Arbi Bouqdib’s calculator memory cards—an astonishing, shimmering synthesis of two worlds, or perhaps two entire cosmoses.
Edition: 18 unique pieces from the installation ‘Mr. and Mrs. Bouqdib’
Order: Click here
A Christmas greeting from the darkness: Michal Martychowiec's ‘What Remains the Poets Provide’.
© Photos: Stefan Haehnel, Arne Ahlert, Timo Kahlisch, Michal Martychowiec
