Berlin Archives - Rusty’s Weekly Diary

Have you been visiting one or more of the Art Fairs lately, or actively being part of one?
In New York, for example, even the press missed some of the fairs. The Armory, Nada, Scope,
The Independent New York and more. Not to Forget VOLTA, on pier 90, pretty close to the Armory (piers 92, 94). Hard to believe that these two fairs have the same owner – and even harder:
If you have been visiting one of these two fairs you would not have even noticed that there is another fair so close. No signs, no reduced tickets, no visitors exchange. hey, ever heard about marketing? Cross Selling? No? Too bad… And no press obviously on VOLTA. A short article on artnet (one of the sponsors), pretending that it has been a good fair. Well, the sponsors have to be positive, but if you have asked the exhibitors… they had another impression.

Welcome to New York?

The majority of the exhibitors would not have signed this promo.

Perhaps, New Yorkers and the press are just overfed with Art Fairs and
all the other events related to the Arts.

But ignoring a fair right next to the promiment Armory is a no go.
And the same owner. ‘Pfui’ we would say.
Asian Art Week followed right behind, the ‘copy pasters’-week, and so on and so on…

Besides the fairs, a MoMA visit is always worth it. Not only because of their collection –
saw the Francis Picabia exhibition… fantastic. A classic exhibition of his works, you accompanied Picabia through the years of his life and his reflection of decades in (art) history. Picabia’s cite
” The head is round so that thoughts are able to change direction.” describes his approach to the different art trends of the 20th century. Cuban born, with multi-national heritage and having been living most of his life in France, his work also responds to both World War I and II, and his cultural (and political) influences. I would say, an art opportunist in a way.

Trump Tower? Rockefeller Center? Clear decision – Rockefeller Center. Even more with the huge Linnenbrink drip painting in the new lobby. Have a sneak view from the outside… opening soon… Central Park has been only a short walk up to the north, a quick tea time in one of the restaurants close to the park. Ready to walk up the rocks, spotting for squirrels, strolling a bit along the walkways and then back to the hotel – busy again to find a spot to eat out. Quite easy in that area we have been based, although the name of the quarter sounds not so promising: Hell’s Kitchen. Sometimes, in the hotel, I felt like being actually right there: None of the promising electronic buttons did work (ON/ OFF, ALL IN/ OUT: What the h*** for?), TV has not been working properly and most of all the bathroom door nearly cut my toe off the very last day. OK, OK, survived – and the panoramic view has been amazing, really.

Flying to NY: Thank you air berlin for this fantastic view onto Iceland’s coast; and back to Berlin @JFK: The fastest security control I ever experienced…

So, here, after Art Cologne (they will establish a second fair in Berlin, Art Berlin), the famous Gallery Weekend with new spots/ halls expanding in every direction (including frantic ‘one night stand’ exhibitions… but to attract visitors they even have to fly Mme Huppert in, just do simple name-dropping, ‘Uh, Bryan Adams is also owner, wow…‘ or install history relived (or history repeats?) art…), the art circus is travelling again – documenta 14 in Athens (JUN 10, Kassel will open – if you were able to find your way through this all-so-confusing and not-inviting-at-all website), Venice Biennale… save travels, for everybody and everything.

This is 2017 now – a new year. You might have experienced yourself a terrible year 2016 – or a fantastic one or just normal business. But we should not be despaired – although it is a feeling difficult to cope with. Terror reached Berlin, in front of the Gedächtniskirche, at a time
of pre-Christmas. So, no same procedure as last year. This is bitter, no doubt –
on the one hand – and there have actions to be taken. But on the other hand we can handle it;
at this point I am optimistic (although this role normally is my husband’s) that we will improve.
This is my special word of consolation for the victim’s relatives and friends.

Politicians now talk and they start to commit themselves to a new line of handling refugees, handling the situation in a whole – for Berlin and Germany. Hope they generate a solution serving as a role model for others. What they discover on their way is bitter too, oh yes.
A terrorist travelling Europe, with several identities, buying his weapon –
perhaps in Switzerland, can you believe this? Has to be verified…
What is clear is that bureaucracy failed. That’s the point.

Germany is preparing the elections, the candidates got off the starting blocks. By the way,
in ‘Berlin direkt’ on TV lately, Mr. Gabriel (yes, he will) made some good points. Mr. Lindner
talks strong, but people seem to remark his tailor made suit/s only.
Well, perhaps he’s trying to copy Schröder a little bit? Or is just an elegant man?
And surprise, surprise – at the end of the report’s election section Mr. Hofreiter appeared
on the scene, sitting right next to Cem Özdemir, and has been acting like
a green Seehofer, See-Hofer, Seehofreiter, *hi hi* – really made me smile.

Mr. Müller, our mayor here, gave an interview in the TAGESSPIEGEL, a good starting point,
as last year he ignored to give any interviews at all. Wish for Berlin is –
and I think I am speaking here for many others – to reduce superfluous bureaucracy
and install more personnel instead. End of cutting down personnel.

Mayors, well, I heard a comment of another one on the radio beginning of the year.
He has been commenting on the fact that some foreign artists with a running engagement
want to leave his city because they do not feel comfortable in his city any more:
“This is a nationwide phenomenon.” he said. And this is reason enough that the situation is OK?
HEY??? In a city that has no problems with foreigners at all… OMG.

Weather report! Having talked about the political climate before,
I close my report with the weather, weather, weather.

We had the first snow here – and really cold temperatures in the East and South East,
‘Axel’ has been strong though as ‘Dieter’, Egon’, etc. pp., you name it.
Me and Rusty enjoyed the snow and still do. Rusty with his winter hairdo and me anyway.
But of course noticed the terrible situation in other European countries.

Forecast? Winter weather still, but not so icy – and when you are living more southerly,
you are lucky with some sunshine. Have a good new year.
Even when you have been stumbling over a Tiger head on the floor 😉

The 90th birthday — What does he say to the Tiger?

P.S.: Finally Mr. Lammert (Presiding Officer of the German Parliament) held a speech
in commemoration of the Breitscheidplatz victims
in the Bundestag, it is clear now that Anis Amri could have been arrested or sent back to Tunisia
already in October last year –
and please, stop Mr. Höcke and others proclaiming these neo racist ideas.
Trump inaugurated…

Rusty’s Weekly Diary

Berlin

Fairs and no end

“The same procedure as last year, Miss Sophie?”