Is it just me, or does this street seem to hum with artistic energy? We’re standing in front of Galerie Janssen. It’s a Berlin-based gallery for contemporary art. Michael Janssen opened the gallery in Cologne in 1995. It operated there for twelve years. The gallery held over eighty exhibitions.
From 2002 to 2006, Michael Janssen collaborated with New York’s Leo Koenig gallery. They operated in Los Angeles as ‘The Happy Lion’ gallery. It was located in Chinatown. Some young LA artists had their first shows there. Elliott Hundley and Matt Franks are two examples. The gallery also showcased mid-career LA artists. Meg Cranston and Thaddeus Strode had solo exhibitions.
In 2007, the gallery moved to Berlin. The Cologne space closed in 2008. The Galerie Michael Janssen hosts a contemporary program. It features European, American, and Southeast Asian artists. The program focuses on painting, sculpture, and installation. It features established and young artists.
The Galerie Michael Janssen has long collaborated with artists. Till Gerhard, Christoph Steinmeyer, and Peter Zimmermann are some examples. The gallery also introduces younger artists to Germany. Stijn Ank, Emil Holmer, and Gulnur Mukazhanova are some examples. They also rediscover older artists. Lynda Benglis and Margret Eicher are two examples.
A second branch of Galerie Michael Janssen opened in Singapore in 2012. It was located at Gillman Barracks. John Baldessari and Meg Cranston collaborated for the opening exhibition. The Singapore space presented solo and group exhibitions. It also hosted public programs. These included performances, talks, and film screenings. The Singapore venture lasted until the end of 2015.
In 2021, the gallery moved to Bleibtreustrasse in Berlin Charlottenburg. The new space opened with a solo exhibition by Margret Eicher. Galerie Michael Janssen participates in art fairs. They participate in Abu Dhabi Art. They also participate in EXPO CHICAGO. They feature both established and up-and-coming artists.
Currently, Galerie Michael Janssen is presenting Iabadiou Piko’s “Eureka Threshold”. The exhibition runs from January 18 to March 1, 2025. Michael Janssen and Marisa Newman Projects jointly presented works by Susana Wald. Galerie Michael Janssen also collaborates with Téchnes / Lasch & Co in Athens. They present Yonamine in a pop-up exhibition.
The Galerie Michael Janssen continues to be a vital space. It supports contemporary art. It fosters dialogue between artists and the public. It has locations in Berlin, Chicago, New York, Athens, and Paris.