“Transformation” is the key word here at Gr\u00fcntaler9. Since 2011, Gr\u00fcntaler9 has been a space dedicated solely to performance art. It is located at Gr\u00fcntaler Str. 9. It is not just a gallery, a white cube, or a black box.
Here at Gr\u00fcntaler9, every performance leaves visible and invisible traces. These traces remain for the next performance. The next artists take over these traces and then let go again. It is a fascinating cycle.
Gr\u00fcntaler9 is more than just a venue. It’s a platform for collaborative, performative research. The curators are deeply committed to community building. They focus particularly on the Wedding neighborhood.
International artists and curators come to Gr\u00fcntaler9. They investigate diverse theories and practices of performance art. They explore live performances and performative installations. They also consider questions of performance documentation. Talks, workshops, and screenings also take place here.
Teena Lange, Anja Ibsch, and Adriana Disman curate and facilitate the space. They do so through invitations and submitted proposals. They seek artists who embrace transformation.
The artists must face the challenge of the space itself. They can transform the space during their announced performance. However, preparations that change the space beforehand are not allowed. Planned presentations are not the goal here.
Gr\u00fcntaler9 sees itself as a continuous, collaborative performance. It views itself as a work of art and an art event. Multiple artists contribute their authorship. It is also a critical discussion of originality and authenticity.
Imagine attending Minute/Year at Gr\u00fcntaler9. This sound-based artwork began on January 1, 2016. Each day, it generates sounds and images for one minute. The sounds of daily life become material. This material creates a layered index. It develops, mutates, and degrades over time.
Consider Olof Olsson’s “Driving the Blues Away” performance here at Gr\u00fcntaler9. It connects seemingly unrelated things like Toblerone and Steve Jobs. Cocaine, orange juice, and the Virgin Mary are also part of the mix. Heinz Ketchup, farts, and Immanuel Kant all come together. Olsson takes you on a mind-bending ride of comic infotainment.
Gr\u00fcntaler9 has hosted many unique events. These include the PODO Performance Art Festival and LEGS NINE. Esther Neff has also presented her work MARSH here.
Camilla Graff Junior presented “My Mother, My Mirror” here at Gr\u00fcntaler9. This performance essay explored the complexities of motherhood.
Gr\u00fcntaler9 is a space where art constantly evolves. The space transforms with each performance. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and creativity. It questions the very nature of art itself. It challenges artists to push boundaries. Gr\u00fcntaler9 remains a vital hub for performance art in Berlin.