Location Oderberger Str. 56, 10435 Berlin, Germany
Website http://www.dieraum.net/
What motivated you to start?
Founder and curator Lotte Møller: “The space itself was very motivating: It is a purpose-built project space, which is very rare in Berlin (most project spaces are converted shops, or the like…). It was conceived as an art space from the beginning – by the BAR architects who built the house – in order to create a ‘connection’ between street life and the house and the people living in it. And then there is the size of the space – which is only 5 m2… I started the program in 2011 together with the artist Jesper Dyrehauge, and now running it alone since 2015.”
How do you develop your artistic programme?
I do not follow a specific curatorial concept, but simply choose artists who’s work I like. That said, it is quite important for me to keep an eye on gender/age equality, and do the little I can in that respect. I also generally invite people from ‘outside’ who are not already integrated in the Berlin art scene, and artists whose works might not be an obvious fit to the characteristics of the space.
Could you describe your relation with artists? How do you get in touch, how do you work with them?
Apart from a background in various art institutions, I have also worked many years as a producer/studio manager for artists, which, I think, strongly influences my way of working with artists. I really, really enjoy working with artists, and I like to take fully part in the production process.
What advice would you give emerging artists?
Get out in the world, produce your work, and if you have trouble finding exhibition opportunities, work together with other artists, and create opportunities of your own. If you give something, it most often comes back to you.
What do you think is your most valuable or unique aspect?
As a curator? That is really hard for me to answer – I will leave that up to somebody else…
What do you consider to be your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge is always to find money to support your ideas…
What do you find the most rewarding?
When people comes up to you and say that they appreciate the work you do. I also really enjoy the moments during installing when things come into place, and the important discussions about whether to place something one centimeter to the right or not, and how, when it feels right – it feels right to everybody.
What does the future hold?
More exhibitions outside of my 5 m2. I am working on a series of exhibition concepts together with different artists – preferably outside the white cube. Accessible 24/7, die raum is a bit like a public sculpture, and I find the public context very rewarding.
