by Monica Salazar // Sept. 23, 2024
On the last Saturday of Berlin Art Week, the city was buzzing with activity. In partnership with Berlin’s major institutions, the five-day contemporary art festival continued to draw crowds to various openings and events. Among the highlights was Wehrmuehle’s Offsite project in the city’s heart on Friedrichstrasse, where an invite-only party unfolded all evening long, marking the end of the museum’s summer season.
Photo by Lilika Strezoska
The empty building’s inner courtyard had been transformed into a striking visual spectacle, with a stage constructed from industrial steel poles and topped with a corrugated metal ceiling as its centrepiece. Semi-transparent long lengths of fabric cascaded down from the windows of neighbouring buildings, their surfaces bathed in the glow of overhead lighting, enhancing the stage below. Sudden bursts of red light occasionally punctuated the white neon.
Photo by Lilika Strezoska
Against this evocative backdrop, designed by Julia Ann Payne, the evening was kicked off with a DJ set by artist and filmmaker Shira Kela, who set the tone for the night with groovy house beats. This was followed by an unexpected appearance from musical artist Eddington Again, who jumped on stage to perform an impromptu set of a few songs while interacting with the crowd. The night reached its zenith with a riveting performance by the renowned DJ/producer Nina Kraviz, whose mix kept the party alive well into the night.
Photo by Lilika Strezoska
Her three-hour set commenced with a gradual introduction. It started dark and slow with haunting, distorted and chopped-up vocal samples interwoven with percussive clicks and mechanical sounds, creating a dark, almost dystopian atmosphere that marked a dramatic departure from the earlier acts. A dense and wild series of remixes followed, including accelerated guaracha patterns from emerging Colombian producer Aleroj, which had the crowd electrified despite the chilly night.
Located about 40 km outside of Berlin in Biesenthal, Wehrmuehle is a former 14th-century watermill revitalized into a dynamic art space. Acquired by Ayla and Michael Hecken in 2003, the historic building has been restored, with a modern extension designed by Berlin architects Zanderroth, and community-driven, artist-centered contemporary art and culture institution. Aspiring to be a catalyst for experimentation, learning and creativity, the museum serves as an agora for all. Under the curatorial direction of Tjioe Meyer Hecken, Wehrmuehle comprises four distinct sites: the Museum, the Guesthouse, the Barn and the Park—housing exhibition spaces, artists’ residencies and culinary experiences.
Photo by Lilika Strezoska
Since its renovation, Wehrmuehle has been a hub for exhibitions, artist residencies and the annual Art Biesenthal since 2006. This year’s Summer Exhibition, titled ‘Aura’s Present Decay,’ explored themes of art’s ephemeral nature, the passage of time and the evolving aura of artistic expression. The exhibition provided a dive into these concepts by showcasing over 25 artists, including prominent figures like Ana Mendieta, Berlinde De Bruyckere, Roman Signer and Wolfgang Tillmans.
Photo by Lilika Strezoska
In addition to its main exhibition space, Wehrmuehle launched its inaugural Offsite performance series in July. This new initiative expands the museum’s reach by pushing the boundaries of traditional art presentation. Physically intense performances by a new generation of emerging artists such as Göksu Kunak, Young Boy Dancing Group, Ylva Falk and Shira Kela, who presented her Hidden Jams project ‘Afterwork Soundscapes’ with musical artists including Margaret Dygas, Ogazón and Doudou MD, fused art performance with contemporary dance and experimental music.
