PRESS RELEASE
UTOPIA
ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION 2011-2016 | 20th February – 16th April 2016
VERNISSAGE 19th February 2016 at 7 pm
Shadi Ghadirian, Francesco Jodice, Thomas Jorion, Yussof Knauss, Andréas Lang, Ohad
Matalon, Beatrice Minda, Agnese Purgatorio, Leandro Quintero, Heiko Räpple, Dubravka
Vidović, WON Seoung Won
In such dramatic times as those we are presently living, promoting and selling art is a
gargantuan challenge. Some may say an Utopian undertaking. Yet, when Podbielski
Contemporary opened in January 2011, our mission was clearly declared:
“It may sound naive, but I think that for all its failings, the world of art and culture is still the
only one where something like that can be done (...) The media can’t do it anymore; they’ve
become a vulgar business like any other. The world of culture - museums and universities - is
the last place where you are still free to dream of a better world (...).” Alfredo Jaar,
Conversations in Chile 2005 Mistral, Santiago, ACTAR, Barcelona 2006, p. 80.
Today, five busy and demanding years down the road, our commitment is as firm as ever,
fuelled by relentless in-depth thinking, research and the on-going debate with and creative
stimulus of all the inspired artists we have the honor of supporting. To commemorate and
enhance such an achievement (which demands a vision, consistency and artists that share and
sustain our efforts), Podbielski Contemporary has selected works that best illustrate the theme
of our show:
Utopia
Utopia, imaginary and ideal country in Utopia (1516) by Sir Thomas More, from Greek ou not,
no + topos place.
Synonyms: Eden, Heaven, New Jerusalem, Nirvana, Promised Land, Shangri-la, Paradise,
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Podbielski Contemporary I Koppenplatz 5 I D-10115 Berlin I [email protected] I +49 (0)30-24088 238 I www.podbielskicontemporary.com
The artists on display are:
Shadi Ghadirian narrates in her projects the unfulfilled dream for Iranian women to regain their
status. Francesco Jodice captures the biblical landscape of Palestine in contraposition to new
illegal Israeli settlements. Thomas Jorion’s images are evocative of long lost memories of
buildings that have been made redundant. Yussof Knauss reveals the magic of Buddhist
Myanmar landscapes and its contemplative everlasting source of inspiration. Andréas Lang’s
Jungle enhances the magic of boundless, threatening nature as it once was perceived.
Ohad Matalon gives us an explicit reading of Israel’s dream come true. Beatrice Minda
narrates an Iran (once Persia) that seems to have vanished from our imagination.
Agnese Purgatorio’s 'Della Clandestinita' metaphorically addresses the first wave of
desperate immigrants from Albania to Puglia in the 90ties. Leandro Quintero’s witty street
photography challenges us to see and reconsider the ironic environment that surrounds us.
Heiko Räpple brings us back to the heroic days of sculpture, its intrinsic creative challenge,
using basic traditional materials. Dubravka Vidović makes us aware of the universal scarcity
and preciousness of water with staged images taken in India. WON Seoung Won’s images are
simply idyllic, reminiscent of a visionary world.
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Podbielski Contemporary I Koppenplatz 5 I D-10115 Berlin I [email protected] I +49 (0)30-24088 238 I www.podbielskicontemporary.com