Amidst a climate of mass surveillance, information overflows and unbridled capitalism, the more we know, the less ability we seem to have to act. How can individuals retain, and regain, the power to navigate our present reality with meaning? From this Friday (27.10.) this will be amongst the questions are on the table (well, walls) at Nome, a 2015-founded gallery working at the intersection between technology, art, and politics to raise awareness of the crucial issues of our time. Entitled “Agency“, the group show is curated by artist and writer James Bridle, author of “New Dark Age: Technology and the End of the Future” (Verso, 2018). Each work grapples with technological complexities and political contradictions in its own unique interrogation of our digital culture — from 3D scanning technology (Morehshin Allahyari) to trawling leaked archives (Anna Ridler) and the deconstruction of technological apparatuses (Ingrid Burrington). That’s just a preview, though — stop by on Friday to kick the weekend off on a thought-provoking note. (Text: Anna Dorothea Ker / Photos (clockwise): Nome Gallery, c/o British Council, Anna Ridler)

Nome Gallery, Glogauer Str.17, 10999 Berlin-Kreuzberg; map
Tue-Sat 15-19h
“Agency” curated by James Bridle: opening 26.10.2018, 18-21h, runs 27.10.-7.12-2018

“Drawing with light” is what “photography” means, according to the word’s Greek origins, and this year the notion also informs the central theme of the European Month of Photography (EMOP) Berlin 2018: light and time. From 28.9.-31.10.2018, Germany’s largest photography festival will bring together 500 artists across 300 events in 120 locations. Where to begin? On Friday (28.9.2018, 19h), C/O Berlin is the place to be — for the opening of “Back to the Future. The 19th Century in the 21st Century“, which traces the use of traditional 19th-century photographic techniques in contemporary photography. A flourishing schedule of exhibitions, lectures, screenings, studio visits, and guided talks follows. Two that piqued our interest are journalist Andrea Thilo speaking to English national treasure Martin Parr, best known for his gently satirical portrayal of quintessential Britishness, at C/O Berlin (29.9.2018, 12h). Then over at Kehrer Galerie, Austrian photographer Gregor Sailer’s show “The Potemkin Village” showcases mock architecture around the world, from Sweden to China. Then there’s “Between the Films: A Photo History of the Berlinale” — a showcase of press photographs of the famed festival since its inception, presented by the Deutsche Kinemathek. But all this is only a teaser. Here’s the full program — may its offerings illuminate your October. (Text: Anna Dorothea Ker / Photos (clockwise): Nicolai Howalt, Gerhard Kassner, Gregor Sailer)

European Month of Photography (EMOP) Berlin 2018, 28.9.-31.10.2018, various locations & dates: see program
EMOP Opening Days 28.-30.9.2018
C/O Berlin, Amerika Haus, Hardenbergstr.22-24, 10623 Berlin-Charlottenburg; map