Tag Archives: Berlin

Upcoming: Zusammen Wachsen – group exhibition in Berlin!

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BERLIN!!! (for english, please scroll down)

Zusammen Wachsen – Perspektiven namibischer Kunst

Das Projekt wird in Zusammenarbeit der kommunalen Galerie und der Deutsch-Namibischen Gesellschaft e. V. (DNG) realisiert. Einer breiteren Öffentlichkeit werden die namibischen Künstler*innen Imke Rust, Kirsten Wechslberger, Shiya Karuseb sowie Xenia Ivanoff-Erb vorgestellt und deren zeitgenössische Arbeiten präsentiert. Die ausgestellten Werke reichen von Malerei und Zeichnung über Mixedmedia und Grafik bis hin zu Fotografie und dreidimensionalen Objekten. Das gemeinsam gewählte Thema ZUSAMMEN WACHSEN ist verbindendes Element. Zugleich wird es aber auch sehr unterschiedliche interpretiert und gedeutet.

Alle Künstler werden anwesend sein. Wir freuen uns, euch zur Eröffnung persönlich willkommen heissen zu können.

Eröffnung: 28 Juni 2019 um 19.00 Uhr

Es laden ein: Michael Grunst, Bezirksbürgermeister, Dr Catrin Gocksch, Fachbereichsleiterin Kunst und Kultur und Katrin Krüger, Leiterin des Kulturhauses Karlshorst.

Begrüßung: Jürgen Becker, Kurator der Ausstellung und Mitglied im Vorstand der DNG
Eröffnungsrede: Egon Kochanke, Botschafter a.D.

Ausstellungszeitraum: 29. Juni bis 25. August 2019

Info über mich und meine Werke die gezeigt werden:

Imke Rust, geboren 1975 in Windhoek, lebt in Oranienburg bei Berlin und Swakopmund in Namibia. Ich bin eine namibisch-deutsche Land Art und multimediale Künstlerin, aufgewachsen in der Wüste Namibias. Seit einigen Jahren pendele ich zwischen meiner Heimat und Deutschland, zwischen Wüste und Wald. In meinen Arbeiten befasse ich mich mit Fragen meiner eigenen Identität und Migration, Verwurzelung, Entwurzelung und Anpassung. Als namibische Nachfahrin deutscher Auswanderer in 5ter Generation versuche ich nun in meiner neuen Wahlheimat Oberhavel nahe Berlin neue Wurzeln zu schlagen. Geprägt vom dornigen Buschland und der kargen, trockenen Wüste verspüre ich eine besondere Nähe zur Natur. Welche Wurzeln muss ich kappen, welche neuen Äste oder Stämme wachsen lassen um hier im moosbedeckten Wald zu überleben? Was will und kann zusammen wachsen und neu entstehen? Wie ändern sich Form und Identität in diesem neuen Umfeld? An der Universität von Südafrika absolvierte ich den ‚BA Degree in Visual Art’ und bin zweimalige Gewinnerin des wichtigsten Kunstpreis Namibias, der Standard Bank Namibia Biennale. In zahlreichen Solo und Gruppenausstellungen wurden Arbeiten von mir weltweit ausgestellt. Über ein Stipendium des Deutschen Akademischen Austauschdienstes (DAAD) kam ich 2006 das erste Mal nach Berlin.

Imke Rust, geboren 1975 in Windhoek, lebt in Oranienburg bei Berlin und Swakopmund in Namibia. Ich bin eine namibisch-deutsche Land Art und multimediale Künstlerin, aufgewachsen in der Wüste Namibias. Seit einigen Jahren pendele ich zwischen meiner Heimat und Deutschland, zwischen Wüste und Wald. In meinen Arbeiten befasse ich mich mit Fragen meiner eigenen Identität und Migration, Verwurzelung, Entwurzelung und Anpassung. Als namibische Nachfahrin deutscher Auswanderer in 5ter Generation versuche ich nun in meiner neuen Wahlheimat Oberhavel nahe Berlin neue Wurzeln zu schlagen. Geprägt vom dornigen Buschland und der kargen, trockenen Wüste verspüre ich eine besondere Nähe zur Natur. Welche Wurzeln muss ich kappen, welche neuen Äste oder Stämme wachsen lassen um hier im moosbedeckten Wald zu überleben? Was will und kann zusammen wachsen und neu entstehen? Wie ändern sich Form und Identität in diesem neuen Umfeld? An der Universität von Südafrika absolvierte ich den ‚BA Degree in Visual Art’ und bin zweimalige Gewinnerin des wichtigsten Kunstpreis Namibias, der Standard Bank Namibia Biennale. In zahlreichen Solo und Gruppenausstellungen wurden Arbeiten von mir weltweit ausgestellt. Über ein Stipendium des Deutschen Akademischen Austauschdienstes (DAAD) kam ich 2006 das erste Mal nach Berlin.

English:

Save the date! 28th of June we celebrate the opening of our group exhibition ‘Zusammen Wachsen’ at the Kulturhaus Karlshorst.

4 Namibian artists are presenting new and exciting art. I am honoured to show my works alongside my esteemed fellow artists: Shiya Karuseb, Kirsten Wechslberger and Xenia Ivanoff-Erb.

The project is organized by the Deutsch-Namibische Gesellschaft e. V. (DNG) together with the communal gallery Kulturhaus Karlshorst, to present contemporary Namibian art by the four artists. The selected works range from mixedmedia works, different printing techniques and photography to installations.

The subject ‘Growing Together’ was choosen by the group of artists. While this theme is the red thread through the exhibition, each artist has created their personal and unique interpretation thereof.

Come and join us for the opening! I am looking forward to connecting with you in person.

Opening: 28 June 2019 at 19:00

You are invited by: Michael Grunst, Bezirksbürgermeister, Dr Catrin Gocksch, Fachbereichsleiterin Kunst und Kultur und Katrin Krüger, Leiterin des Kulturhauses Karlshorst.

Welcoming words by  Jürgen Becker, curator of the exhibition and member of the board of the DNG
Opening speech by: Egon Kochanke, Botschafter a.D.

Duration of the exhibition: 29. Juni bis 25. August 2019

Curious about what works I will be showing?

I am presenting a brand-new series of mixed-media works. Through them I explore questions of my identity, migration, growing new roots, rootedness and being up-rooted.  As a 5th generation descendant of German colonial immigrants to Namibia, I have now choosen to create a new home for myself in Oberhavel county, just north of Berlin.

Having grown up in a thorny Namibian bush and dry, barren desert landscape I have always been very connected to the nature around me. Now I have to cut my roots and grow in new ways to survive and adapt to the moss-covered forests of my new home. How do the physical, natural surroundings shape and influence one’s identity?

Come and have a look at my take on it. And what all the other artist have created to the theme of growing together.

(Graphic Design of the first two immages by Xenia Ivanoff-Erb)

 

KUISEB Namibia – Exhibition in Berlin

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(This post is in German. It announces our exhibition opening on the 28th of May, in Berlin. If you are interested to attend and would like more information in English, please leave a comment or contact me via email. Thank you!)

Kuiseb_AusstellungPRESSEMITTEILUNG: BrotfabrikGalerie // Ausstellung

KUISEB Namibia

Xenia Ivanoff-Erb, Fotografie
Imke Rust, Malerei
28. Mai – 3. Juli 2016

Eröffnung: Samstag, den 28. Mai 2016, um 17:00 Uhr

BrotfabrikGalerie,
Caligariplatz, 13086 Berlin-Weißensee

Begrüßung: Petra Schröck / Jürgen Becker, Deutsch-Namibische Gesellschaft
Grußwort: S. E. Andreas B. D. Guibeb, Botschafter der Republik Namibia
Musik: Elemotho & Samuel Batola (Namibia)

Die Künstlerin Imke Rust wird anwesend sein.

Die BrotfabrikGalerie präsentiert in Kooperation mit der Deutsch-Namibischen Gesellschaft zwei Künstlerinnen aus Namibia, die sich in unterschiedlicher künstlerischer Weise mit der Wüste Namib und dem Trockenfluss Kuiseb auseinandersetzen.

Die Designerin und Fotografin Xenia Ivanoff-Erb wurde in Südafrika als Tochter einer Deutschen und eines russischen Don-Kosaken, Victor Ivanoff (Künstler, Karikaturist und Sänger), geboren und wuchs in einem von der Kunst geprägten Umfeld auf. Seit 2012 in Swakopmund/Namibia, hinterlässt sie im künstlerischen Leben des Landes zunehmend ihre eigenen, vor allem fotografischen Spuren, ob in Zeitschriften oder Ausstellungen. Als ihr letzter Erfolg gilt die Foto-Schau „Namibia Inspirations“, mit der sie zum Jahreswechsel 2015 / 2016 ein breites Publikum begeisterte.

„KUISEB Namibia“ ist ihre erste Werkschau in Deutschland. Sie gab der Ausstellung ihren Namen und schreibt dazu: „Etwas versteckt, verborgen in unserem ‘Hinterhof‘, dem großen Sandkasten Namib, liegt ein grüner, baumumsäumter Streifen, der Trockenfluss Kuiseb. Eine faszinierende Vielfalt an großartigen Landschaftsformen und eine besondere Tierwelt bieten dem interessierten Naturfreund besondere Anregung. Doch kommen wir auch beinahe bei jedem unserer Sonntags-Ausflüge in Berührung mit den Nachfahren eines tausende Jahre alten Nomaden-Stammes. Kaum eine Stunde im Auto von Swakopmund entfernt führen heute einige hundert Leute vom alten Volk der Topnaar-Nama ein relativ einfaches, bescheiden-glückliches Leben.“

Die namibische Künstlerin Imke Rust wuchs in Swakopmund an der Küste Namibias auf und verbrachte dort einen großen Teil ihres Lebens. Dadurch entwickelte sie eine besondere Beziehung und Faszination zur Wüste Namib, in der auch der Kuiseb als Trockenfluss liegt. Vor allem die Widersprüchlichkeiten des Landes und der Wüste haben Imke Rust schon seit ihrer Jugend beschäftigt. Ihre Malereien zeigen kein gewöhnliches Wüstenbild. Vielmehr drückt sie mit ihrer eigenwilligen Bildsprache, Farbgebung und Technik eine Vielfalt an inneren Eindrücken und Gefühlen darüber aus, was Wüste für sie bedeutet.

Beim ersten Eindruck einer Wüste denkt man schnell, hier sei ja nichts außer Sand. Nach genauerem Hinschauen entdeckt man vieles mehr: Leben, Schönheit, Mythen. Aber auch den wundersamen Tanz mit dem Tod. Imke Rust gibt einen Einblick in die Abgründe der Wüste und die der menschlichen Seele. Ihre Bilder laden dazu ein, die tieferen und größeren Zusammenhänge, die in den Sedimentlagen unter der Oberfläche versteckt sind, in unser Bewusstsein zu bringen.

„Durch Gier und Machtanspruch spielt der Mensch in dem sehr sensiblen Ökosystem Wüste eine schwerwiegende und oft besorgniserregende Rolle. Aber auch wenn wir mit allen Mitteln versuchen, die Wüste zu beherrschen, stoßen wir dabei immer wieder auf unsere eigenen Grenzen. Wir werden uns unserer Schattenseiten, unserer Vergänglichkeit bewusst – spüren, dass wir nur ein weiteres, kleines Korn in einer großen Wüste sind.“ (Imke Rust)

Das Ausstellungsprojekt wird von der Senatskanzlei Berlin im Rahmen der Städtepartnerschaft Berlin-Windhoek gefördert.

***

Ich freue mich darauf, euch persönlich begrüssen zu dürfen! Und JA, meine Bilder können bei dieser Gelegenheit gekauft werden!

Diese Einladung darf gerne weitergeleitet und geteilt werden. Xenia und ich freuen uns über viele interessierte Besucher.

Text zu den Arbeiten von Imke Rust, die in dieser Ausstellung gezeigt werden.

Text zu den Arbeiten von Imke Rust, die in dieser Ausstellung gezeigt werden. (Bitte auf das Bild klicken um eine größere Darstellung zu sehen)

Weitere Information auf den Internet-Seiten der Brotfabrik http://www.brotfabrik-berlin.de und der Deutsch-Namibischen Gesellschaft www.dngev.de . Und vielleicht möchte auch jemand auf die Ankündigung der Ausstellung durch das Süd-Afrika Magazin im Internet schauen:  http://www.sued-afrika.de/

Creation is about allowing… (and upcoming events)

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Blue Sphere 2, carefully allowed in the branches between two trees in the forest, by Imke Rust

Blue Sphere 2, carefully allowed installation in the branches between two trees in the forest, by Imke Rust

Creation is about allowing
– not about going out and doing.

Recently I found this quote and it made me stop in my tracks. Coming from a society and background where doing is considered the highest virtue, this thought seemed so out-of-place and plain presumptuous. Yet, I could not dismiss it, as it also stirred something deep inside of me.

For one, I realised some time ago, that doing is not always the answer. I have written about this idea before HERE.

But even more importantly I was struck by the ‘allowing’ part. When we grow up, our life is filled and directed with an endless list of do’s and don’ts… In my younger years, I was convinced if I just learn this list and follow it to perfection, I would be happy, and so would be everybody around me. Because I was doing things right… Later in life, I realised that this list became more and more complicated and it was not always possible to separate clearly between the do’s and don’ts. This realisation was confusing and also depressing, because my neatly arranged roadmap to life seemed to be crumbling and I had nothing to hold on to anymore that would guide me along.

Allowing…

Wow, what a big concept.

In life. In creativity. In love. In believes.

What would happen if we allowed more and were less constricted by the do’s and don’ts?

Allowing… the creative process of the universe, of life, to happen, without the need to control it.

It is a difficult concept to grasp (at least for me). And I guess I will be allowing myself to ponder on this much more. And allowing the creative process more and more, instead of trying to go out and ‘doing’.

And as if the universe wanted to let me know that it was serious about this, it send some sunshine on Saturday and nudged me to go out and explore a new part of the forest. Allowing myself a break, with no responsibilities or work to do. I was so deeply touched by the spirit of the forest, the cold, fresh air, nature’s first slow attempts at spring coming, the sunlight playing hide and seek and the majesty of the trees…

I took some pictures. And when I arrived home and downloaded them onto the computer, I realised that without any intention or doing on my part, a special moment was created and captured. Yes, it is just the flare of sunlight hitting my camera, but it is also magical. As if a sphere of blue light has been installed perfectly between the trees… and documented.

If you just allow yourself to imagine that this was a carefully created art installation.

Blue Sphere 1 & 2, carefully allowed installation in the branches between two trees in the forest, by Imke Rust

 

Here are some upcoming events, where you can see or experience my art:

Save the date if you are in Windhoek, Namibia:

Art Inside 2016  

One of my artworks (Happy Mongoose, 2015, Mixed Media on Canvas, 112 x 145cm) has been selected for the Art Inside Project and exhibition at the National Art Gallery of Namibia. You are welcome to the opening this week Thursday! If you cannot make it then, the exhibition runs till the 23rd of April 2016.

Happy Mongoose

Happy Mongoose

OPENING DATE 24 March 2016
OPENING TIME 18:00
VIEWING 24 March – 23 April 2016
VENUE NAGN

Press information about the project and exhibition from the National Art Gallery of Namibia:

“The project Art Inside, which was first launched in 2014, is a nationwide art awareness project aimed at Namibian Government. The initiative aims at acquiring original Namibian visual art for installation in all Ministries and semi-government premises. By installing the artworks, the project aims to celebrate visual art as an important mode of creative communication, and to foster an appreciation for visual art as inherent part of government’s working environment.

In the previous editions Namibian artists from all Regions have responded positively by submitting inspiring art and craftwork of an exceptional quality for this project. From these, the best pieces were first exhibited at the NAGN and then purchased for the Government of Namibia Art Collection.

The Art inside 2016 exhibition will run from 24th March to 23rd April 2016 at the National Gallery of Namibia.”

*************

And save the date if you are in Germany and interested to participate in a special Land Art Workshop which I am offering in conjunction with the Fair Camp Berlin program:

Die Fülle in dir
Fair Camp Exkursion „Kreativ im Grünen“ mit Imke Rust am 24. April 2016

Wann: So. 24. April 2016, ca. 13 bis 18 Uhr inkl. Mittagessen, Wo: bei Oranienburg

Die FÜLLE in Dir: Raus in die Natur! Rein in die Seele. Sehnen sie sich auch nach neuem Ausdruck, Natur und kreativem Schaffen? Der Frühling ist die perfekte Zeit auch unsere Seele aufblühen zu lassen und neue Impulse in unser Leben zu bringen. Lust auf etwas Neues und eine Auszeit vom Alltag? Dann lade ich sie herzlich ein, gemeinsam mit mir die Fülle, ihre Kreativität und die Natur neu zu entdecken. Wir kreieren, gestalten und experimentieren mit und in der Natur und lernen dabei unsere eigene innere Fülle und die der Natur bewusster zu erleben und auszudrücken.

Sie brauchen keine Vorkenntnisse, nur Offenheit, Freude an der Natur und Lust sich auszuprobieren. Als deutsch-namibische multimediale Künstlerin und Regenmacherin freue mich darauf, sie dabei zu begleiten und inspirieren zu dürfen. Imke Rust

Dieser Workshop ist der Arbeit in und mit der Natur gewidmet. Aber vor allem soll er die spielerische Kreativität, den persönlichen Ausdruck und die Freude am Schaffensprozess anregen. Wir werden die meiste Zeit draußen im Wald verbringen. Falls das Wetter nicht mitspielt, arbeiten wir mit Naturmaterialien im Atelier. Alles ist in kurzer Laufentfernung.

Bei Ankunft gibt es ein Mittagsmahl, eine Spende von Wünsch Dir Mahl. Wasser, Saft und Kekse für zwischendurch stehen bereit.

Click HERE for more information.
Space is limited to 10 participants, and places are already filling up quickly…

Kreativ im Grünen_FairCamp2016

Playing with my Heart

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It is International Women’s Day and to celebrate this I have created my very first ever animated GIF and will share it with you today.

A GIF is a graphic format, which I would explain as a kind of moving picture. These formats seem to become ever more popular on the internet and I can understand why. Instead of having just one image, you have kind of a moving gesture, usually composed of a few still images.

And so, without further ado, here it is:

Playing with my Heart

Playing with my Heart, an animated GIF by Imke Rust

I hope you enjoy it!

What you missed last weekend (but can still sign up for in the future)

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Yes, you missed an awesome sunny Saturday spent in the forest in a relaxed atmosphere, learning and creating together at the Land Art workshop I presented.Kreativ im Grünen

After a short introduction to the ideas and possibilities of land or nature art, we set out on the short walk to the forest. The area offers a wide variety of different backgrounds and possibilities, ideal for each to find their best mode of expression. There is a small open birch forest, a dense coniferous forest, a meadow and the Havel river…

We had time to get to know the area, the materials available and then experiment with own works. The exchange between the different members of the group brought further ideas and inspiration and lots of laughter, but also serious discussions.

“What a wonderful way to spend the day! I could feel how the stress of the week quickly left my body and I began relaxing into my surroundings. It was great to have no pressure of having to perform, but to be able to experiment and create to my hearts desire. Thank you, Imke.” Ilona.

If you would like to participate at one of our future one-day workshops, which will be presented on a monthly basis, please send me an email, so that I can keep you updated about future dates and send you all other information needed. I am also happy to create tailor-made workshops according to your wishes, for that extra special private birthday party, company outings, a fun family breakaway, etc.

Please email me at: imkerust(a)iway.na (replace the (a) with an @ when sending).

Further information about the workshops can be found HERE. (The information is only available in German at the moment, but I am happy to offer the workshops in English too. Please request the English information sheet directly from me.)

Since pictures say more than a thousand words, I will not write further and rather share some pictures of the workshop with you (click on the images for a full-view slide show):

Interacting with her artwork
Making a crop circle through rolling his body in the field
Charcoal circles on birch tree
Some works are better viewed from a ladder…
Working in a shady spot.
braiding fresh green grass
Plaited grass and flowers
Explaning and discussing ideas
Balls of grass
Taking a break
Spiral from pine cones
Philosophical world
Completed work
Helping each other
Viewing of an artwork from different positions.
Material collection
Catching the bull by its horns… after having created it from grass and wood.
Construction work
Large grass spheres made to hang in dry branches
Example of an older work
Making a circle through walking.
Discussing the works
Working in the open and sunny plain
Contemplating the next step

Berlin Premiere of ‘An Infinite Scream’

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We are very excited to announce the Berlin Premiere of the German version of our

documentary film ‘An Infinite Scream’ at the

BrotfabrikKino in Berlin

on Saturday, May 30th (2015)

We hope we can welcome many of you for the very first public screening and a discussion with Steffen Holzkamp (director and producer) and myself, the artist. This is an exciting and intimate look behind the scene of my art making, my intentions behind it and the challenges and opportunities of the art scene in Namibia.

Please feel free to share this event widely with your friends! Thank you.

EinladungEinBild

   Die Deutsch-Namibische Gesellschaft e. V. und der Glashaus e. V.

laden Sie herzlich ein zur

Berlin-Premiere des Dokumentarfilms AN INFINITE SCREAM (Deutsche Fassung)
 
am Samstag, dem 30. Mai 2015

Beginn: 18:00 Uhr
Ort: BrotfabrikKino, Caligariplatz 1, 13086 Berlin-Weißensee
(Tram M2, M13, 12; s. „Service“ unter http://www.brotfabrik-berlin.de)

Programm:

18:00 – 18:45 Uhr        “An Infinite Scream”
18:45 – 19:00 Uhr        Gespräch mit dem Filmemacher Steffen Holzkamp und der Künstlerin Imke Rust
19:00 – 19:40 Uhr        weiteres Filmmaterial zum Thema

Synopsis:

In der prallen Wüstensonne über 1000 Weißdornen zu Kreisen legen? Schwarze Müllsackrosen in die Sanddünen pflanzen? Oder eine halbe Tonne Salz  zu einer begehbaren Skulptur formen?

Die Landart Installationen der Namibischen Künstlerin Imke Rust folgen einem immanenten Anliegen: Der Sorge über den zunehmenden Uranabbau in Namibia und der Verschandelung der Wüste. Ihre Kunstwerke sorgen für Aufmerksamkeit, verstehen sich aber auch als ein symbolischer Schutz für das geschundene Land.

Kann Kunst etwas bewirken? Was kann ich tun? Mit diesen Fragen beschäftigt sich Imke Rust auf eindringliche Weise.

In 2012 in Namibia und Berlin gedreht, spiegelt der Film die  teils meditative Stimmung der Entstehung von Rust’s Landart. Ruhige Einstellungen bei der Installation der „Salt Circles“ oder reportagige Handkamera bei der Videoperformance „The Scream“ auf der Seebrücke am Atlankik: Schnitt und Montage folgen dem Tempo der Kunst.

Die Absage der gebuchten Rust-Ausstellung seitens der Kunstvereinigung bringt dem Film eine dramaturgische Wendung und verlagert den Schwerpunkt hin zu einer gesellschaftlichen und medialen Kontroverse über die „Freiheit der Kunst“ in Namibia.

So organisiert sich die bekannte Künstlerin mit Hilfe durch ein Netzwerk von Unterstützern ihre Ausstellung einfach selbst.

Starke Bilder an atemberaubenden Orten, sowie Illustrationen und Musik verdichten den Film zu einem eindrucksvollen Statement für Courage und Eigeninitiative im eher konservativen Namibia.

Die Filmarbeit in Namibia wurde teilweise vom National Arts Council of Namibia unterstützt.

Trailer und weitere Informationen zum Film: https://aninfinitescream.wordpress.com
 

Das Kino hat 60 Plätze.

Vorverkauf oder Reservierung über Tel.: 030/471 40 41 oder per E-Mail: karten@brotfabrik-berlin.de werden empfohlen.

Der Eintritt beträgt 7,50 Euro (normal) und 6 Euro (ermäßigt).

Etwaige Fragen richten Sie bitte an: imkerust(a)iway.na

 
logo_brotfabrikNEU

Logo DNG (neu)

News: Exhibition DIALOGe, Aachen

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DIALOGe art exhibition Aachener Kunstroute 2014

DIALOGe art exhibition Aachener Kunstroute 2014 Invitation

My work will be on show at the Aachner Kunstroute 2014, this weekend. 27 – 28 September

Our group exhibition entitled

DIALOGe

is taking place at

Ateliersozietät & Zeigeraum Prozitron

(Lothringer Straße 91, 52070 Aachen, Germany)

Participating artists:
art core (streetart, Kalligrafie) / Bernd Ciceron (Malerei)
Alfred Reuters (Toter Hund der Woche – Starterset)
Aysha Farooq + Sylvia Nirmaier(Wandinstallation)
Imke Rust (Namibia – Berlin)
Satadru Sovan (Indien – „colours“)
UTA Göbel-Groß („South Africa calling“).

Unfortunately I will not be there personally, but most of the other amazing artists are.

A picture taken during the hanging of the exhibition with works by Uta Göbel-Groß, Satadru Sovan and Imke Rust

A picture taken during the hanging of the exhibition with works by Uta Göbel-Groß, Satadru Sovan and Imke Rust

And here are  some of the artworks for those who cannot make it to Aachen.

From the Lexikon Portrait Series by Imke Rust

From the Lexikon Portrait Series by Imke Rust (Each work is 29x21cm, Ink on lexicon pages)

Titles from left to right: 263 (Consul); 315 (Demut); 311 (Delirium)

 

From the Lexikon Portrait Series by Imke Rust

From the Lexikon Portrait Series by Imke Rust (Each work is 29 x 21cm, Ink and Acrylic on lexicon pages)

Titles from left to right: 304 (de fide); 249 (Clairvoyance); 248 (citius, altius, fortius))

All my works are for sale.

Price: 170€ each. When you buy 3 (three) artworks the price for all three is 470€ – instead of  510€. 

Just contact me if you are interested to buy any of these artworks, or visit the gallery in Aachen if you are there! Thank you!

 

 

Imke Rust – Wieviel Namibia steckt in ihrer Kunst?

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Imke Rust – How much Namibia can be found in her art?

Last Tuesday was one of those nervously exciting days… I have been invited for an hour-long interview on Deutschlandradio Kultur. The interview forms part of a series called ‘Im Gespräch’  – I would translate it as ‘In Conversation’. Interesting and inspiring people from many different backgrounds are invited to share their thoughts and experiences during these interviews.

Imke Rust busy making the SubRosa Artwork. Photo by Steffen Holzkamp (c)

Imke Rust busy making the SubRosa Artwork. Photo by Steffen Holzkamp (c)

I felt so honoured and grateful that they have invited me! And at the same time, I realised how big this is, and how much I want to make it count and how scared I am of me messing it up.

Even though I have talked publicly before and believe that I am usually faring quite well, nevertheless I still get nervous as hell. Fortunately the preparations team was super and the interviewer, Britta Bürger, was awesome and I felt safe and welcome.

Once my nervous coughing subsided and we were on-air the time passed so quickly. Before I knew it we were done. It felt as if I woke up from a dream, but have totally forgotten what it was about, except for a faint, very vague memory.

I only arrived home late that evening after a busy day in town. When I switched on my computer, I was overwhelmed to see so many emails of friends and strangers congratulating me and commenting on the interview. I was even more overwhelmed to see that almost 400 people have visited my webpage and clicked through many different pages. Wow – this was an absolute sky-rocketing record for me.

I am so grateful that people have listened to my interview and felt it was interesting enough to find out more on my webpage. Thank you!

For everybody who missed it, if you are curious to hear me talking about my background, Namibia and my art, you can still listen to it on the archive page of Deutschlandradio Kultur, by clicking on the link below. Sorry, once again this is only in German without any translation.

I have had several requests to have my webpage and blog in German. Strangely my German writing is not as fluent, even though it is my mother-tongue. And as much as I wish I could share everything in German too, I just do not have the time to translate it myself or the money to pay for somebody to do it for me. Maybe one day I can change that!

Ok, here is the intro to the interview.

Die Namibierin Imke Rust steckt schwarze Rosen in die Wüste, klebt Regenwolken auf Felsen und lässt Plastik-Goldfische in Eis-Bächen schwimmen. Häufig sind es symbolische Kunstprojekte, mit denen die Künstlerin vor der massiven Umweltzerstörung warnt, die Namibia durch Uran- und Phosphatabbau droht. Sie ist die Nachfahrin einer weißen Missionarsfamilie, die in das damalige Deutsch-Südwestafrika auswanderte.

Click here to read more and listen to the interview.

Klick hier um weiterzulesen und das Interview zu hören.

We are talking more about this artwork: Coat of Arms by Imke Rust

We are talking more about this artwork during the interview: Coat of Arms by Imke Rust

Pendlerin zwischen den Welten – Commuter Between Worlds

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Excitement!!!

Some time ago I was contacted by a journalist who likes my art and wanted to interview me for an article in the magazin ‘afrikapost – Magazin für Politik, Wirtschaft und Kultur’. I agreed, although I have to admit that I was so nervous and almost said no.

Now the article is published and I am so grateful for a wonderfully written portrait of my art and me. Thank you, Tobias Döpker, editor of the Mannheimer Morgen Newspaper for taking the time and interest and for summing up the long interview in a perfect way!

So writing today’s post is made very easy for me, as I have the kind permission to share the article with you! Unfortunately for all my English-speaking readers, the article is in German. I am afraid you will miss out this time. I am sorry about that!

But, according to my site statistics the German readership of my blog and webpage has increased tremendously in the past two years and is actually leading in numbers, so here is a small special gift to all of you who are fluent in the German language. 🙂 Viel Spass beim lesen!

Please click on the image to be taken to a readable PDF version.

Magazin spread of the article in the Afrikapost Magazin (2/2014/Juni)

Magazin spread of the article in the Afrikapost Magazin (2/2014/Juni)

I hope you enjoyed the article! I would love to hear your thoughts about it!

 

How to create miracles

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As you probably know, I am a big believer in miracles. They do happen, all around us, in big and small ways.

Happy by Imke Rust (Ink on 250g/m2 acid-free watercolour paper, 14,8 x 10,6cm)

Happy by Imke Rust (Ink on 250g/m2 acid-free watercolour paper, 14,8 x 10,6cm)

Very often we are waiting for that one big miracle to happen! Like winning the lottery or living in eternal bliss… And then we are upset if that never seems to happen.

That always reminds me of the joke of the guy who prays for weeks to win the lottery, until he really gets upset with God and vents his frustration about his prayers not being heard. Suddenly a voice thunders down from heaven, saying: Meet me half way – buy a ticket.

So, whenever I am waiting or hoping for a miracle to happen, I wonder if I have done my half? Have I bought the ticket?

Sometimes it is so very simple: I always wish for the miracle of being able to do what I want to do with total freedom. Just create whatever I feel like. Instead usually a little insistent voice in my head rumbles: NO – you can’t do that! That will not sell! That is too easy! No way, what will people think if you paint like that?! Now, really, do you think any gallery will take you seriously when you show stuff like that? Ok, that is pretty neat, I like that – BUT how do you think this will generate any money? Remember, you need to pay your bills…

And so it goes on and on, and sometimes I find a successful way to navigate through this and be kind-of-happy. Until I realise that I have more and more work, and still very little income. Then I work harder at doing things, which I think will be better suited to generate an income, improve my career options and become a successful artist. This usually ends up with me being frustrated and depressed. And feeling like lifting up my fist to the sky and say: I have done my part, now where is that miracle of total creative freedom without financial worries I have prayed for?

During one of those frustrated times a different, kinder and gentler voice suddenly popped into my head and matter-of-factly said:

Some miracles you just have to create yourself.

What? Me? How? (I have already tried all those little tricks which I have read about, such as visualisation, praying etc.)

And then I realised: Yes – I can!

Sure. Even if it is for short periods of time, I can just choose to be happy and do whatever I like. I will not starve immediately. No seriously bad things will happen if I take an hour or so of my time and create whatever I feel like… I just need to make the choice and do it!

And so I created this miracle. An hour or two of blissful and fun painting of pretty stuff and trying my hand at lettering – just because I felt like it.

Some miracles... 3 artworks by Imke Rust (Guache, ink and pen on 170g/m2 acid free paper, each 21 x 29,7cm)

Some miracles… 3 artworks by Imke Rust (Guache, ink and pen on 170g/m2 acid free paper, each 21 x 29,7cm)

Too often we are waiting for something outside of us to happen or change. From now on, I am committing to always find what I can do to bring me closer to create my own miracles. And do it. It is a blissful feeling to see all the potential miracles around me.

You might say: oh well, that’s too easy and not going to be a long-term solution. Granted, I have to keep repeating it. I think that would be possible, if I just choose to.

So here is another real big example from my personal experience.

Many years ago, I wrote down a list of things I truly wished for in my life. I read all about manifesting whatever you want and I decided to try it out. One point on the list was a real biggy. I had bad eyesight and needed to wear glasses. I hated that. And I wanted the universe to give me perfect eyesight so that I would never need glasses again.

You would agree – if the universe got that right, then I really would truly believe that nothing is impossible. It was on the list and so I waited. And waited. And waited. A few years later I found the list again, and ticked of some stuff, but the big wishes like the perfect eyesight were still unchanged. Nothing has miraculously happened. Maybe I just had to admit that it was a bit too idealistic of me to believe that it could happen.

I pondered about this for a few days until suddenly I had a small epiphany. I just received some money, which was owed to me for a long time, and I did not really expect to ever get it. I believed that it is not good to let money lie on a bank account, it would be better to invest it into something. But what? What would be a good investment for me? Something that would not depreciate in value? Something I really wanted or needed?

A few of my friends had done eye operations and were really happy with the results and suddenly it struck me that this money would be able to cover the cost of such an operation.

The miracle was there for me, I just needed to make the choice and buy the ticket.
I did.
Within a few weeks of preparation and five minutes of operation I had perfect eyesight. What a miracle!

Imke at the Goodman Gallery, Cape Town

My first public outing after my eye operation, celebrated with a visit to the Goodman Gallery in Cape Town. (March 2011)

I often thought miracles would have to come falling from the sky in some supernatural manner. There might be some that do, but most are pretty damn ordinary miracles. I mean, isn’t it just totally amazing that it is possible to laser your eyes and within 5min have perfect eyesight? Wow! I am still in awe and so incredibly grateful!

So, remember:

Some miracles you just have to create yourself.

And you can!

Panther Dreams by Imke Rust (Guache, ink and pen on 170g/m2 acid free paper, 21 x 29,7cm)

Panther Dreams by Imke Rust (Guache, ink and pen on 170g/m2 acid free paper, 21 x 29,7cm)