“Oh, give me the kisses of your mouth, For your love is more delightful than wine.” These lines sound like those of a 19th-century romantic poet but they’re actually from the last section of the Hebrew Bible. Erotic lyrics are just some of the more surprising religious and cultural artifacts that make up Sex: Jewish Positions, an exhibition about sexuality and Judaism soon to close at the Jewish Museum Berlin. Nearing the end of its run (catch it until 06.10.2024), the exhibition explores Jewish attitudes toward sex through ancient texts, objects and artworks both new and old. A walk around the exhibition rooms reveals the full continuum of sexuality, from the sex positivity of Dr. Ruth Westheimer’s “Game of Good Sex” to the feminist art of Judy Chicago and the theories of sexual repression developed by Sigmund Freud. Elsewhere, historical texts are examined in parallel with contemporary documents, such as an updated ketubah (traditional marriage contract) that features the image of a newly married lesbian couple. Set to transfer to the Jewish Museum Amsterdamafter its Berlin run ends, the exhibition is a fascinating account of a complex, surprising part of Jewish life.

Text: Benji Haughton / Photos: Jens Ziehe / Credit: Jüdisches Museum Berlin

Jewish Museum Berlin, Lindenstr.9-14, 10969 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Sex. Jewish Positions runs until 06.10.2024

@juedischesmuseumberlin

For some, Berlin Art Week is the best week of the year, and we’re right in the thick of it again. Haven’t had a chance to check out the program yet? No worries, here are our selected highlights for the next few days. This year, the presence of strong female voices is striking and refreshing, with several exhibitions opening tonight (12.09.). At the Berlinische Galerie, dive into Mariechen Danz’s contemporary artistic exploration blending performance and science. Over at the Georg-Kolbe-Museum, one section of the multi-institutional retrospective dedicated to choreographer and sculptor Gisèle Vienne opens tonight. The beautiful juxtaposition of her works with those of other female doll makers from the last century is not to be missed (especially Sophie Taeuber-Arp’s bear). Tonight’s auction is for you if you’re in the mood to buy rather than just look. 50 fürs Flussbad (12.09.2024, 18h) supports the vision of a future Spree that’s clean enough to swim in. In the lower price range, keep an eye out for a print by Something Fantastic. Want something a bit more special? How about a small glass sculpture by the incredible Karin Sander? And don’t worry, you can keep the art-buying momentum going. On Friday (13.09.) for the first time ever, Gallery Night extends until 22h, inviting you to explore the city’s gallery scene after hours. If you enjoy beautiful paintings, check out Societe with Conny Maier, Meyer Riegger with Caroline Bachmann, Trautwein Herleth with Rebecca Morris, and Sprüth Magers with Oliver Bak. For performance art, Isabella Bortolozzi is where you’ll want to be for Lily McMenamy’s performance, “A hole is a hole.“

Saturday (14.09.) is just as exciting. Fluentum in Zehlendorf is hosting an artist talk with Calla Henkel and Max Pitegoff (14h), followed by Ewa Dziarnowska’s performance “This Resting Patience” at Sophiensaele (15–18h). The evening continues with more openings. At Kindl — Zentrum für zeitgenössische Kunst in Neukölln, you can see works by Nina E. Schönfeld, Samuel Fosso, and Alfredo Jaar, among others. Sunday is perfect for a visit to Wilhelm Hallen, where multiple galleries come together for a group exhibition at Hallen 05. Several collections, like the Kienzle Art Foundation, are also hosting open houses. End your day at KW Institute for Contemporary Art in Auguststraße, where Amina Szecsödy’s performance “Mean Time” will be showing for the last time. And just like that, the best week of the year comes to a close.

Text: Hilka Dirks / Credit: Samuel Fosso & JM Patras, Paris; Sarker Protic; Maix Mayer

Berlin Art Week, 11.–15.09.2024, all over the city. The entire Art Week program can be found here. 

@berlinartweek

By now, most people know the Julia Stoschek Foundation is home to one of the most exciting collections in Berlin. They also know the openings there are among the best in the city. And, as always, with the arrival of fall, it’s that time again. On 11.09.2024 from 18h, the hallowed halls will be packed. “After Images,” the name of the group exhibition, presents over 30 works, including many new productions created specifically for the event. The works challenge the concept of time-based art and seek to redefine our relationship with contemporary visual culture. Instead of video art (for which the collection is widely known), curators Lisa Long and Line Ajan have placed haptic and multi-sensory experiences at the center of the exhibition. The materiality of the works — texture, smell, sound and experience — challenges the usual dominance of vision among the five senses. After all, images are just one way of understanding the world. It’s no coincidence that the German word for “to understand” is “begreifen”, which also means “to grasp” physically.

The renowned Laurel Halo will contribute one of her ethereal sound installations to the collection, while a light installation by Theresa Baumgartner and an olfactory intervention by Chaveli Sifre will transform the space in a multi-sensory way. Other works will feature big names like Rosa Barba, Carsten Nicolai and many more. The exhibition will culminate in a major sound and light intervention by Labour, for which the Foundation’s cinema has been converted. This exhibition is a must-visit. For the full sensory experience, it’s best to attend the opening evening, when the murmur of the guests blends beautifully with the art.

Text: Alina Herbel / Photos: Agustin Farias, Frankie Casillo & Robert Hamacher

Julia Stoschek Foundation, Leipziger Str.60, 10117 Berlin–Mitte; map
After Images 12.09.2024–27.04.2025. Opening on 11.09.2024 18–22h.

@juliastoschekfoundation