SURVIVAL
is a collaboration of Open Space
Berlin and the BLO-Ateliers,
two groups that can look back at many years of experience
with performance festivals, join forces to strike out on
new paths and gain new experiences.
Open
Space Berlin
is an internationally networked platform of artists from
the fields of performance art, theater, and visual art.
Outside of the mainstream, Open Space Berlin organizes
and stages festivals, performances, interventions in public
spaces, workshops, and labs.
The
BLO-Ateliers are
one of the most multifaceted and largest studio communities
in the eastern part of Berlin. In its now 10 years of
existence on the grounds of a former railway depot, the
artists have created a lively location for art and culture
in Lichtenberg. The canteen event location and the attractive
outdoor areas are the showplace for performance art festivals,
numerous exhibitions, music, and theater events. In addition
to the artistic production and a guest studio for international
artists, the cultivation of handwork is a focus of the
activities ( blo-ateliers.de
).
The team responsible for the conception, organization
and realization of the SURVIVAL - International Performance
Festival comprises:
Michael Steger - As
Curator, the actor and performer Michael Steger is responsible
for the selection of artists and the line-up of the performance
festival. He has curated the Open Space events since 1998
and is the founder of the Open Space Performunion performance
group.
Philip
Brehse - International correspondence and translation.
The actor, director, and performance artist began his
career in New York City and has lived in "post-Wall"
Berlin since 1997. A decidedly interdisciplinary artist,
he is the co-founder of Open Space Berlin and an active
member of the Performunion.
The
A/V media designer Luz Scherwinski
is responsible for coordinating press and promotion. He
is also in charge of creating the photo documentation
of the festival. He has been an active member of the Open
Space Performunion artist collective since 2006.
Amy
J. Klement
- Translations. The visual and performance artist from
the United States has been a member of Open Space and
the Performunion since their inception and is part of
the planning team for the festival. She has also translated
over 50 art catalogues for major institutions in German-speaking
countries.
The
director, actor, and performance artist Emily
Kuhnke is responsible for public relations
and press contacts. As an active member of Open Space
and der Performunion, her tasks during the festival this
year also include organizing the line-up. She is the founder
of 3LK Productions and realizes international projects
in the fields of film and performance that are presented
at festivals.
The
Danish sculptor, curator, and performer Poul
R. Weile is the tutor and contact person for
the realization of the performance lab. He is founder
and curator of the "Days of Art and Love - Festival,"
which has taken place on a national and international
level since 2003. He has lived and worked in Berlin since
2008.
The
video artist and performer Nabi
Nara from South Korea has lived in Berlin for
six years and is part of the planning team for the SURVIVAL
festival for the first time this year. With her newly
opened art gallery SOMA Gallery
(facebook.com/somaartspace
somagallery.de
) , she is also one of the cooperation partners.
