^{John Waters (Thursday 06.02 @ Sprüth Magers Berlin)}

The hot topic of this week is obviously Berlinale that is starting on Thursday with the ten-day red carpet marathon. Since we are more into supporting the local yet to become superstars, we would heartily recommend Boddinale, Neukölln's alternative to the famous festival, as well as some interesting openings and performances taking place in smaller art venues of Berlin.

THURSDAY 06.02

19.00 Episode 5: in the beginning @ insitu

Alexandra Baumgartner / Robert Devriendt / Sophie Jung / Mahony / Agnieszka Polska / Kevin Schmidt

WHY: With the group show “Episode 5: in the beginning” insitu presents six artists, whose works are strongly dealing with the notion of storytelling. The artists use narrative techniques to convey their own interpretation of an existing story or to invent a totally new storyline. The exhibition focuses on different ways of how a narrative can be constructed as well as on how factors like expectations and curiosity influence our inner need to imagine a possible story.

insitu / Kurfürstenstr. 21-22, 10875 Berlin, U1 Kurfürstenstrasse / show open through 15.03 / free entry / more info

18.00 John Waters - Bad Director's Chair / Michail Pirgelis - Adopted / Karen Kilimnik @ Sprüth Magers Berlin

WHY: John Waters, one of the most celebrated film directors famous for the camp aesthetic, brings the same wit and audacity to the art gallery. Perched upon his Bad Director’s Chair, Waters has transformed his observations of the glamour and heartbreak of Hollywood into honest and humorous photographic essays and narrative sculptures. Also part of the exhibition, three of the artist’s earliest films will play in loops in specially designed ‘peep’ rooms. Beyond the gallery, Image Movement will show John Waters' "Top Ten Art Films You Should Watch Now", while DFFB will host a solo exhibition of his photographic work, focusing on the series "Marks". John Waters will also bring his lecture "This Filthy World" to Volksbühne on 09 February.
Sprüth Magers Berlin is concurrently presenting solo exhibitions by Karen Kilimnik and Michail Pirgelis.

Sprüth Magers Berlin / Oranienburger Straße 18, 10178 Berlin, S Oranienburger Strasse / show open through 05.03  / free entry / more info

19.00 Sanya Kantarovsky & Liz Magic Laser - Research and Reporting @ KW 

WHY: Sanya Kantarovsky and Liz Magic Laser present a new performance that dramatizes statistical data related to current events, popular culture, and the Internet. Five dancers offer the latest facts and figures by animating mobile theater flats that evoke a bar graph. Drawing on the 17 stages of the "Hero′s Journey" by Joseph Campbell, the performance traces the narrative of a man searching the Internet for meaning.

KW / Auguststrasse 69, 10117 Berlin, U8 Rosenthaler Platz / 3€ / more info

FRIDAY 07.02 

18.00 Liu Jing - Jing Jing & Jing 静 净 境 @ Galerie Bergwasser

WHY: Galerie Bergwasser presents the first solo exhibition by Chinese artist Liu Jing in Berlin. With a number of works on display, the exhibition JING JING & JING 静 净 境 aims to give an insight into contemporary Chinese ink painting. Based on its tradition, Liu Jing creates mostly minute motivic items of a minimalist character on large sheets of paper, in her very own personal style.

Galerie Bergwasser / Grolmanstraße 16-16A, Berlin 10623, S Savignyplatz - U2 / U9 Zoologischer Garten / show open through 05.04 /  free entry / more info

19.00 Mariel Poppe | Dirk Winkler - Struktome und Musterie @ Scotty Enterprises

WHY: Mariel Poppe is looking for ornamental orders and disorders in the space. For the objects of the series Construction Kit she used wooden scaffolding that left over after the extraction of the puzzle pieces. From these skeletons arise assemblages that are readable from both sides. The black-and- white  images by Dirk Winkler show structures abstracted from nature. The individual elements can be repeatedly combined and re-interpreted by the viewer.

Scotty Enterprises / Oranienstrasse 46, Berlin 10969, U8 Moritzplatz / show open through 01.03 / free entry / more info

19.30 Skark Quartett - How To Do Things With Music @ Import Projects

WHY: Skark Quartett is a collective of string instrumentalists and composers from Iceland. Working together since 2008, the ensemble explores the borders of music, art and science. Throughout their experimental performances the nature of the audience experience and conditions of attendance are emphasized. Two very special free performances of new work will take place at Import Projects on Friday and Saturday. The ensemble has received numerous acknowledgements for their concerts, among others ‘Best concert of the year’ in Icelandic media.

Import Projects / Keithstrasse 10, Berlin 10787, U Wittenbergplatz / free entry / more info

20.00 Steffen Ullmann - Deco Trends @ Das Gift

WHY: Giftraum presents a selection of Steffen Ullmann's recent paper collage, tracing ambiguities of material and image regarding its infinite transformation in physical and digital reproduction besides the limits of meaning and perception through scaling. The opening of this two-day show will have an open end and a musical support by dj xox w/o wow.

Das Gift / Donaustrasse 119, 12043 Berlin, U7 Rathaus Neukölln / show open through 08.02 / free entry / more info

Next week:

FRIDAY 14.02

SUPERMARKET @ Kulturhuset Stadsteatern, Stockholm

WHY: Despite its name, Scandinavia’s largest art fair is not a supermarket. It is a platform for the newest, most vital and innovative international art. With over 80 exhibitors from 30 countries worldwide it is the single largest international art event in Scandinavia. The theme for this year's fair will be Difference(s), with a focus on diversity: geographic, economic, artistic and interpretive differences and similarities. In addition to the exhibition, the event includes a seminar programme, a performance art stage and a meeting programme for networking.

14–16 February @ Kulturhuset Stadsteatern / 3rd & 5th floor, Sergels torg, 103 27 Stockholm / one day entrance SEK 120, weekend pass (3 day) including catalogue/magazine SEK 240 / opening hours: Friday 11 - 22, Saturday–Sunday 11 - 20 / more info