Berlin loves art in bunkers. The Feuerle Collection, for example, has found its public home in a former telecommunications bunker. And this home now houses the solo show “When Animals become Art” by Leiko Ikemura, curated by Désiré Feuerle himself, until January 2024. This is an exhibition that offers the kind of art experience that sharpens the senses. Whether with a date or ridin’ solo, you can treat yourself to this Berlin Kunstbunker experience, which is similar to the club experience so typical of the city: 1. it’s dark, 2. cell phone cameras aren’t taped off, but photography is still prohibited, and 3. the visit is probably a bit shorter than at the club, but it doesn’t have to be any less ecstatic. The first eye-catcher is a dramatically lit installation in the middle of the gloomy exhibition space (bunkers aren’t big on natural light, as we know).
On the floor, a small zoo of stuffed animals is placed on a black blanket. Those who are a little familiar with the artist’s work will immediately recognize the reference to the animal mythical creatures recurring in it and at the same time think to themselves: Yes, of course, close, but surely this is not a work by Leiko Ikemura? The remaining exhibits provide an exemplary insight into the materials and techniques typically used by Ikemura. Sculptures made of opaque cast glass lie on floor cushions draped around the center of the room, elegantly playing with the limited, punctuated light. We see poetic landscape paintings on coarsely woven jute hanging on the far wall, giving spatial context to the dream world one has just entered. In front, an imposing bronze sculpture, a chimera: the Queen Rabbit, who seems to watch over the parallel world and its small inhabitants.
Noelia Gaite’s life revolves around art, art, art: she curates, contemplates and analyzes. And when it all gets to be too much, she takes long walks through the city with music in her ears. On bridges, she likes to linger a little longer.
Credit: Leiko Ikemura, The Feuerle Collection / Photos: Wai Kung & Nicolas Boettger
The Feuerle Collection, Hallesches Ufer 70, 10963 Berlin–Kreuzberg; map
Fri 14–18h & Sat–Sun 11–19h. The guided tour must be booked in advance.
@thefeuerlecollection
