Imagine, if you will, a place where the spirit of collective living meets artistic expression. That place is Villa Magdalena K.
Villa Magdalena K stands as a beacon of queer-feminist ideals. It is a living and working project located in the heart of St. Pauli, Hamburg. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to self-determination.
Let’s step back in time to November 11, 1989. This is when the building at Bernstorffstraße 160a was occupied. The building was in need of renovation and had been empty for years. Just over a month later, on December 12, 1989, the district assembly decided to hand over the building to the occupants.
Anke Schwarzer recalled the atmosphere of the district in an article in Die Zeit Online on July 14, 2015. About 30 years ago, the owner planned to demolish the old red-brick buildings. Some residents didn’t want to accept that. They gradually occupied part of the building complex. With success, the city acquired the listed building complex and allowed the protesters to live there.
The building’s renovation was completed in July 1993. Villa Magdalena K has existed as a non-profit association in self-administration since 1990.
But what makes Villa Magdalena K so unique? It’s not just the history. It’s the vibrant culture that thrives within its walls.
The villa houses a workshop for book and screen printing. There is also a graphic room used as an event space. These spaces are open to the public. Since the mid-90s, Villa Magdalena K has hosted the AIR. It is an Artist in Residence program. International artists come to use the studio and workshop. They hold events and presentations.
The core idea of Villa Magdalena K is to provide a feminist, autonomous, and changeable space. This space is for people of all gender identities. Ruth Becker described the goal. It was to create a space run by women for self-determined living. This would enable an alternative to the traditional nuclear family. It would counteract gender-specific roles and the exclusion of women in mixed-gender living and working projects.
The building was renovated ecologically. It features rainwater usage. There is also facade greening, solar panels, and clay ovens.
Today, Villa Magdalena K continues to host open print sessions. These usually take place on the first and third Wednesday of the month. Anyone can work on their own projects.
Villa Magdalena K. stands as a symbol of empowerment and artistic freedom. It is a reminder that spaces created with intention can foster community.