With Art Cologne, an event showcasing art from about 200 galleries, having just wrapped up yesterday, what are art enthusiasts to do now? Head East, of course. Enter Berlin’s Gallery Weekend. With 51 galleries and 51 opening parties extending throughout the course of next weekend (April 27^th-29^th), which we should mention are all situated in the vicinity of some of Berlin’s top restaurants and nightlife venues – why miss out? From neo-expressionist works to ever-pervasive digital art, berlin-artparasites is here to break it down for you.

Just as Berlin is known to be quite an international city, it makes sense that the artwork and artists presented at Gallery Weekend would be just as global and diverse. In addition to Berlin’s own homemade art on display at galleries, such as can be found at Meyer Riegger with the earthy land and urban-scape paintings of Armin Boehm, artists from all corners of the globe merge together in the Berlin art scene for the 8^th Gallery Weekend.

Before Night Falls

One definite must-see is the artwork of famed US movie director Julian Schnabel which will be presented at Contemporary Fine Arts. Also particularly known for his role in the neo-expressionism movement in the 80s, his paintings are expressive, theatrical and full of texture. Other intriguing works from artists hailing from Los Angeles to New York City and everywhere in between can be found at Galerie Crone with its Andy Warhol collection (nicely paralleled with works by Hans Arp), as well as at Moeller Fine Art with its Howard Wise tribute exhibition presenting early, influential technology-inspired mixed-media works of 17 artists.

 
Scary… Ujinu Muneteru Duet, 2012, PSM. Photo Courtesy of PSM.

Digital Art Re-appears

Following the growing trend of melding technology and art to be more expressive of our surrounding environment and realities, technology and the digital age motifs continue throughout Gallery Weekend. After seeing the decades-old works based on technology, light and kinetic energy of the Howard Wise exhibit, make your way over to Mitte to see more modern technological art. Two particularly riveting exhibits are based on works from Asia-Pacific artists. AT PSM, Tokyo-based artist Ujino makes use of kinetic energy from recycled everyday objects in his haunting computerized works that take over the gallery space.

Tired of constantly receiving junk email? Australian artist Andy Boot puts his frustration to good use in his spatial artwork inspired by your average junk email, which he transfers onto large carpets that also physically take over the Croy Nielsen gallery space.

Very much in line with our digital art age, for those of you who are, alas, not in Berlin, or even Germany, the organizers behind Gallery Weekend have created a virtual 3D online application that allows art lovers to tune in and interact with others via online avatars. For those in Berlin, this virtual portal opens on April 24^th – a few days before the onset of Gallery Weekend – to allow visitors to get a head start.

Stay tuned to berlin-artparasites for more Gallery Weekend tips and hints, as well as info on other parallel art events taking over Berlin this coming weekend…

• Berlin Gallery Weekend 2012 (various locations) – April 27th: 6-9pm, April 28th-29th: 11am-7pm

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