Podbielski Contemporary

Hours: Wednesday thru Saturday: 12:00 - 18:00 (Noon - 6 PM)

MAP Website

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Podbielski Contemporary was established in the heart of Berlin in early 2011 at Koppenplatz Number 5.This gallery emerged from the shared passion of Pierre André Podbielski, an architect and art dealer, currently partner at Galleria Rubin (Milan) and Isabelle de le Court while she was a PhD Candidate in History of Art at the University of Leeds, (UK), working under the supervision of Professor Griselda Pollock. The emphasis of Podbielski Contemporary’s programme is to represent contemporary artists who address the geopolitics of the Balkans, the Middle East and Italy in transcultural perspectives. Although the Balkans and the Middle East can be seen and read as two “transitional” geographic areas between East and West, they do represent more than geographic borders and situations. Crude geographic groupings and labels do not, however, give a true representation of the divisions that may exist between countries in these areas and fail to address the inner economic, social and cultural realities that exist in the face of external political pressures. These are the issues the artists of Podbielski Contemporary will address 1. Their works, more often than not, are the result of sustained and positive cross-border relationships known as transnationalism. They are better defined in such terms as "Itinerant Identities" or "Geographic Bodies" – coined by Ursula Biemann – more fitting to a world marked by virtual and instantaneous worldwide activities 2. In a context in which geographies are possibly losing importance, the figure of the artist has been increasingly assimilated to that of a nomadic individual, travelling the world. The resulted exhibited work frames his / her experience of migration and displacement, and subsequent reflection on homeland. As an act of survival, the artist confronts and challenges the globalization of culture. Berlin, long known for its division is now a city that although unified is also a multicultural landscape whose influence, in a time of globalization, reaches far beyond the boundaries of Europe. This has contributed to the city's unique cultural make-up, unstoppable development and visibility at an international level. Podbielski Contemporary seeks to promote transnational work (mostly contemporary photography and video installations) with exhibitions, scholarly catalogues and by finding this work a home in international private and museum collections. Its founders strongly believe that a gallery, besides representing artists and promoting their works in the optimal way, should serve as a centre for the exchange of ideas about art and culture. Podbielski Contemporary aims to merge art dealing activities with academic research, presenting special events such as artists talks, performances, conferences and screening evenings, to become not only a lively space for art lovers and art collectors, but also a cultural platform for young scholars and the Berlin art community in general.May its small-scale intervention help sustain wider efforts to overcome the compartmentalization of the art field between public and private institutions.

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