Tag Archives: Berlin

Hello Summer

Hello summer – where are you?

On Friday this was the view out of my studio:

View from my studio – it is snowing…

So I decided to cut a stencil to welcome the summer… (as you can see, I am still struggling with the weather here in Berlin…)

Stencil – Hallo Sommer ©ImkeRust

Just to make sure that the welcoming note will be understood in Germany, I have used proper German, even though I liked “Hello Summer” better. Guess I am still more comfortable thinking in English…

And Sunday my boyfriend and I have planned to get out of the city and drive to a tiny forest on a tiny hill which we have discovered some time ago, the Lindenberg. I love these outings, as I can always find something fun to do, to interrupt the long walks my boyfriend loves to take. As you can gather, I am not that fond of endless walks…

So here are some photos of what happened when we were not walking:

Hallo Sommer (Dark soil on snow) © Imke Rust

I took along the stencil and decided I wanted to use eco-friendly materials. Fortunately I found some really dark earth from mole heaps close by to make this.

Hallo Sommer (Dark soil on wood) © Imke Rust

Trying out the stencil on a dead tree, which was more difficult because of the round shape…

I brought some Curcuma powder along from home, just in case I would not find any other suitable materials to use, and because of the warm yellow colour. So I had to try that out too. I was not all that happy with the result. Unfortunately the wind had picked up a lot making it difficult to pour the powder without spilling over the edges. The sieve which I used to add the dark soil in the previous pictures also did not work for this one, as the powder was to fine… and so to much powder plopped down… Anyway, I still like the warm colour 🙂

Hallo Sommer (Curcuma on snow) © Imke Rust

Hallo Sommer -Close-up(Curcuma on snow) © Imke Rust

And finally, a picture of me taking pictures of another work, which I hope to share at another time. Hint: I am the one hiding beneath all those layers of clothes…

Me, packed warmly, taking photographs © Imke Rust

Wishing you a wonderful week!

Taking my goldfish for a swim in the snow

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I desperately needed to cheer myself up… The sunless grey days of German winter needed some warmth and the beautiful white landscapes some colour.

Fortunately I brought some really cute, really bright orange goldfish along from Namibia and decided to take them for a swim in unusual places.

Swimming in the snow ©Imke Rust

Interventions like these are fun. And important. I slowly realize that these ‘small’ and playful things, which I am usually doing on the spur of the moment, are not that frivolous at all. I might just be following a hunch or a simple, but fascinating idea, at the time and only see the relevance to my life or the bigger picture later. And then I am surprised how these simple creative processes help me to make sense of my life and emotions.

Since I arrived in Berlin in the middle of February, I struggled to adjust to the cold and sunless weather here. Even though I have been regularly moving between the two continents and cultures for some time now, I am still not managing the change very well. I really enjoy Berlin and all that it has to offer, but I have to admit, as a born and bred Namibian I still feel like a fish out of water in Europe.

Flying Goldfish ©Imke Rust

Taking my goldfish out into nature, letting them brighten up the day, wobble through the snow and glide up into the sky reminded me that I could choose to embrace the unease and stress I am experiencing because I am out of my comfort zone. To focus on the bright side and willingly submit to the growth-pains which are a necessary if we do not want to stay stuck in the same old rut. And to explore the advantages: more freedom to discover unusual and new things, having fun in simple ways and being able to see the world with a fresh and unconditioned mind.

And for a while the excitement of placing my cute goldfish all over the place and photographing them made me forget my unusually low tolerance to the cold and my gloomy mood. 🙂

Finding a trickle of flowing water ©Imke Rust

Taking my goldfish for a swim ©Imke Rust (Photograph by Steffen Holzkamp)

I appeared back to back with Madonna in Berlin

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Yes, it is true. This weekend I appeared back to back with Madonna right here in Berlin. You are right, my musical talent sucks, but my art is getting more and more famous.

Ok, I did not appear on stage, but while the superstar Madonna got the front page of the cultural supplement of the German magazine “Der Tagesspiegel” this past weekend, my artwork appeared on the very next page – basically back to back.

I have to admit that I am not a fan of her music, but I do really admire how she has made it from a small unknown girl to become one of the most famous female musicians in the world, with pure guts, hard work and determination.

And I am just overly excited that I, a ‘small Namibian girl’, am having a solo exhibition in Berlin and getting a prominent mention in a leading newspaper… I hope that this is another ~~small~~ big step towards making my mark in Germany and get some more recognition (and sales) for my art. It would be wonderful if my artwork caught the eyes and attention of a small percentage of their 350 000 readers.

The more attention my art gets the more attention the subject and cause behind the exhibition will get: Raising the consciousness about our Namibian environment, especially the coastal area and Namib desert and the possible threats from the mining and other industries and pollution.

Here is a cut-out from the newspaper:

Tagesspiegel 30 June 2012 Cultural pages with a picture of my work SubRosa.

The caption says:

” Black barbed wire roses in the Namib. Today the exploitation looks differently than in the times of the German colonial power. The landscapes of Namibia are threatened by the mining of natural resources and pollution. The artist Imke Rust lives in Windhoek and Berlin. She protests with her ‘land art’ – here the installation “SubRosa” – against the destruction of the nature. “Goldgräberstimmung”: Photos and videos by Imke Rust can be viewed up to the 16^th of July in the Berlin Grafik Studio Galerie Neumann (Rigaer Str 62). “

If you are interested, you can read the online version of the “Tagesspiegel” here.

Info about the work:

SubRosa (Under the Rose) by Imke Rust

Temporary installation in the Namib Desert Dune belt south of Swakopmund.
22° 43’ 01” S – 14° 33’ 47” E
Original dimensions: 90 x 270 x270cm
99 roses made of black rubbish bags, barbed wire, wire
April 2012

Goldgräberstimmung (Gold-rush Mood) Upcoming Exhibition

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Whoohoo – It’s exhibition time… please save the date! Book a ticket and come to Berlin!

My next solo exhibition “Goldgräberstimmung” will be on show in Germany’s capital, Berlin, on Saturday, the 16th of June (17h30) at the Grafik Studio Galerie Neumann. Jens Garling will give a brief introduction to the works.

On show will be a small selection of land art works and public art actions (in form of photographic and video documentation) which I have created in April12 in the Namib Desert and some mixed media works.

Goldgräberstimmung/Gold-rush Mood by Imke Rust

Goldgräberstimmung/Gold-rush Mood – an exhibition by Imke Rust

About the works: “Imke Rust uses her art to draw attention to the human exploitation and destruction of the Namib desert. The works are loosely based on ancient shamanic traditions and symbols, while the artist worked in and with nature, in order to establish a more direct connection between humans, nature, art and the spiritual world. The Namibian-German artist will show video, photography and mixed media works.”

The exhibition can be viewed until the 16^th of July.

Opening times of the gallery:
Mon – Tues: 10h00 – 17h00, Wed: 9h00 – 14h00,
Thur 12h00 – 18h00 and Fri 9h00 – 13h00
If you would like to view the exhibition after hours or on weekends you can make an appointment with me via email: imkerust(at)iway.na

Please feel free to invite your friends along and also to purchase some of my works.

I hope to see you there!

Artworks shown on the invitation:

SubRosa (Under the Rose)
Temporary installation in the Namib Desert Dune belt south of Swakopmund.
22° 43’ 01” S – 14° 33’ 47” E
Original dimensions: 90 x 270 x270cm
99 roses made of black rubbish bags, barbed wire, wire
April 2012 ©Imke Rust

and

Toxic Rocks
Temporary installation at the “Black Rocks” close to Wlotzkasbaken, Namib Desert.
22° 25’ 55” S – 14° 27’ 42” E
Approximate original dimensions: 200 x 2500 x 2000 cm
Rocks wrapped in neo colored tulle
April 2012 ©Imke Rust

If you like my art, please join my Facebook Artist Page .

Berlin Biennale – and what I assumed was art

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Sometimes real life is more fascinating than art…

I have been visiting two of the five Berlin Biennale 2012 venues so far (and hope to see the rest in the next few days). From what I read about it, it sounded interesting with a big hype around its political agenda etc. . Honestly, I do hope the rest of the show is more exiting than what I have seen up to now (please note, that is just my very personal impression, based on my likes and preferences).

When searching for the Biennale display in the Akademie der Künste we got a bit lost and ended up on the wrong level. Not realising this, I got really excited when I peeked around one corner and saw, what I thought was the most brilliant political statement art installation at the Biennale so far:

Sleeping MP © Imke Rust (Berlin Biennale 2012 / Akademie der Künste)

When I walked closer to get a full view, I realized that it was NOT an art installation, but a very tired Military Police guy… and his artful statement made the visit worth our while.

Group exhibition and Open Studio Days in Berlin

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Untitled, Acrylic on Canvas, 50x40cm

Dear friends, (Deutsche Version unten)

If you are in Berlin at the end of November, you have two opportunities to see (and buy 😉 ) my art. This will be the last chance for a while to see my art publicly in Berlin, as I will soon go home to Namibia for a few months at the beginning of 2012.

Firstly I would like to invite you to come to the Group exhibition “Jahresendausstellung” in the Grafik Galerie Neumann on the 25th of November at 17h00 (Rigaer Str 62).

Secondly I will open the doors of my studio to the public during the Open Studio Days in Pankow, so you are welcome to visit me in my studio, see my latest works and have a chat about art and life with me.

Open Studio Days:

Saturday, 26th of November, 13h00 – 20h00

Sunday, 27th of November, 13h00 – 18h00

Address:

Prenzlauer Promenade 149-152

Raum 522 (5ter Stock)

Busstop: Treskowstrasse Bus 255

There is plenty of parking spaces directly in front of the building, for those coming with their cars.

A visit to the studio days will pay off twice, as in addition to my humble studio and art, many more artists in the building are participating and opening their studio doors to the public. So plan to come with some time.

I am looking forward to your visit and support!

Deutsch:

Liebe Freunde und Bekannte,

Demnaechst gibt es nochmal zwei Moeglichkeiten meine Kunst in Berlin zu sehen (und natuerlich auch zu erwerben 😉 ) und es wird vorerst das letzte Mal sein bevor ich dann im Januar wieder fuer 3 Monate nach Namibia gehe:

1. Gerne moechte ich euch zu der Eroeffnung der Gruppenausstellung “Jahresendausstellung” in der Grafik Galerie Neumann, am Freitag den 25sten November 2011 um 17h00 (Rigaer Str 62) einladen, in der unter anderen auch meine Werke ausgestellt sind.

2. Zuesaetzlich gibt es auch noch die Moeglichkeit, waehrend der Tage des offenen Ateliers in Pankow, mich in meinem Atelier zu besuchen, einen kleinen Einblick in meine aktuellen Arbeiten zu bekommen und natuerlich auch ganz in Ruhe Gespraeche ueber die Kunst und das Leben zu fuehren.

Offenes Atelier:

Samstag, 26 November, von 13h00 bis 20h00

Sonntag, 27 November 13h00 bis 18h00

Adresse:

Prenzlauer Promenade 149-152

Raum 522 (5ter Stock)

Bushaltestelle: Treskowstrasse Bus 255

Vor dem Haus gibt es viele Parkplaetze, fuer diejenigen die mit dem Auto kommen.

Der Besuch im Atelier (und zum Teil die weite Anfahrt) lohnt sich gleich doppelt, da viele andere Kuenstler im Hause auch ihre Tueren fuer die Besucher oeffnen und ihr also neben meiner Kunst und mir, gleich noch viele andere, interessante Kunst sehen koennt.

Ich freue mich, wenn ihr zu einem oder sogar beiden der Gelegenheiten kommen koennt!

Ich freue mich auf euren Besuch und Unterstuetzung!

Finally a new blog…and virtual tour of my studio

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My apologies for letting you wait so long, but the good news is, that the less I write blogs the more time I am spending creating new art… AND this time I have a very special treat for you, read on to find out what it is.

I have been working a lot, but also had some (more social) fun, when I finally held a studio-warming party last weekend – just in time, before the colder winter days are creeping up on me. Many of my new and old friends from Berlin came and were treated to some good food, wine and beer and a selection of my old and new work. And I was so happy that so many of you came to share this with me!

I was especially excited, because one of my absolute favorite artist, Max Neumann and his lovely partner Sonja Kopp, also braved the distance into the deepest Pankow to join the small party. Wow, his art inspires me so much, so I felt honored that my humble studio already has been visited by such a great artist.

The evening was relaxed and so much fun, that I unfortunately totally forgot to take pictures to share with you. But, our good friend Reinhard Schubert (King Panorama), has kindly created an amazing 360º Cubic Panorama of my studio and has shared this with us on the net. So you can take a leisurely, virtual stroll through my little studio, with some old, some new and some unfinished works, the buffet still almost untouched and before it got too crowded. Use your mouse or the arrows to turn left or right, and zoom in or out. Thank you, Reinhard!

Welcome to my studio! Click here to step inside…

A still view of my Berlin studio (c) Reinhard Schubert

Ausstellung der Graphothek Berlin

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This article was taken from the following webpage:

http://www.graphothek-berlin.de/?hmenu=2&item=11&vid=11

For all of you who do not understand German: My works are currently being exhibited in group exhibition of the Graphothek Berlin until the 21st of October 2011. If you are in Berlin, come and view this exhibition!

Ausstellung der Graphothek Berlin

Neu in der Graphothek – eine Auswahl neuer Grafik und Fotografie

Ausstellungsdauer: 16.09. – 21.10. 2011

Candy Girl Triptych by Imke Rust

In der diesjährigen Herbstausstellung der Rathausgalerie Reinickendorf präsentiert die Graphothek Berlin ab dem 17. September 2011 eine Auswahl von rund 50 bisher nicht gezeigten Neuankäufen der letzten Jahre.

Die Ausstellung zeigt Arbeiten junger Berliner Künstlerinnen und Künstler, unter anderem Florencia Almiròn und Hanna Hennenkemper. Ihre Arbeiten waren bereits 2009 und 2010 in Einzelausstelllungen der Reihe „Junge Kunst“ des Kunstamts Reinickendorf in der Galerie „Atelier Oellermann“ zu sehen. Die argentinische Künstlerin Florencia Almiròn (*1982) kam 2008 mit einem DAAD-Stipendium nach Berlin. Ihre meist in sehr kräftigen Farben gehaltenen Objekte und Grafiken stellte sie in den letzten Jahren in zahlreichen Ausstellungen in Berlin und Buenos Aires aus. Ebenso in kräftigen Farben leuchten die Arbeiten von Hanna Hennenkemper (*1974). Ihre Radierungen, von denen drei Arbeiten in der Ausstellung zu sehen sind, bestechen durch eine präzise und sensible Spannung, die die Künstlerin erzeugt, indem sie 16 Druckplatten übereinander druckt. Hennenkemper ist Gastprofessorin an der Kunsthochschule Weißensee.

Das Künstlerduo Astrid Albers (*1955) und Jürgen Sage (*1952) malt gleichberechtigt gemeinsam abstrakte Bilder, von denen zwei in der Ausstellung vertreten sind. Auch die drei Siebdrucke von Gisela Genthner (*1945) sind abstrakt. Die Malerei Genthners bewegt sich im abstrakten Bereich von gespachtelten Farbverläufen bis hin zu gestischen Serien.

Von Eberhardt Franke (1936-2004) sind mehrere Radierungen zu sehen, auf denen er in den 1970er und 1980er Jahren Westberliner Szenen in Kaffeehäusern, Galerien, Kneipen und im Stadtraum eingefangen hat. Der 1944 in Tabris, Aserbaidschan geborene Künstler Akbar Behkalam ist mit zwei Radierungen seiner bekannten Persepolis-Serie vertreten. Von dem renommierten Künstler Horst Janssen konnte die Graphothek drei Lithographien mit Portraits bekannter Schriftsteller wie Marcel Proust, E.T.A. Hoffmann und Franz Kafka erwerben.

Des Weiteren werden in der Ausstellung Arbeiten von Künstlerinnen und Künstlern wie Albert Markert, Anita Stand, Helmut Gutbrod, Eberhardt Franke, Götz Loepelmann, Imke Rust, Frank K. Richter oder Jochen Stenschke gezeigt. Die künstlerischen Techniken der ausgewählten Arbeiten reichen von der reinen Druckgraphik, wie Radierung und Lithographie, über Zeichnung bis hin zur Gouache, Öl- und Temperamalerei und zur Fotografie.

Alle ausgestellten Bilder gehören zum ausleihbaren Bestand der Graphothek Berlin.

Rathaus-Galerie Reinickendorf

Eichborndamm 215-239
13437 Berlin
Tel.: 030 – 404 40 62 (Vermittlung des Kunstamtes)
Tel.: 030 – 40 00 92 71 (Leiterin des Kunstamtes)

Öffnungszeiten:
Mo-Fr 9:00-18:00 Uhr
Lageplan

Leiterin des Kunstamtes:
Dr. Cornelia Gerner, Tel.: 030 – 40 00 92 71
E-Mail: info@kunstamt-reinickendorf.de

Waiting in an ashtray…

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Everyday waiting for the bus or the S-Bahn I witness one of the most intriguing phenomena: the careless-flipping-away-of-cigarette-buds.

In most smokers minds’ cigarette buds do not seem to be classified as litter. No, I do not hate smokers, I just do not understand this part of their actions (and yes, I do feel a bit offended by it). Has it ever occurred to you that cigarette buds are litter and belong into a bin or ashtray and not on the public floor?

It is not as if the person looks around for a rubbish bin, then cannot find one or thinks it’s too far to walk to, and then decides to rather drop it on the floor. It seems to be a totally unconscious act. Maybe somebody can explain this to me? It is a mystery to me. I assume, you do not just drop the buds on your floor at home – or do you?

I salute the few smokers who carry a portable ashtray and use it to store their ash and buds or those who are conscious enough to make use of public rubbish bins.

As I found this so intriguing, I thought I have a bit of my own fun: