2018,

Sonntag

2012

Initiative

sonntagberlin.tumblr.com

Sonntag ist eine regelmäßig in Berlin veranstaltete soziale Plas- tik. Von den Künstler*innen April Gertler und Adrian Schiesser im September 2012 ins Leben gerufen, findet die Kunstveranstal- tung jeden 3. Sonntag im Monat in wechselnden privaten Berliner Wohnungen statt. Sonntag sieht sich als eine Plattform für internationale in Berlin lebende Künstler*innen zur Weiterent- wicklung ihrer künstlerischen Aktivitäten. Als einen Ort, um zeit- genössische Kunst einer breiteren Öffentlichkeit zu präsentieren, verknüpft mit der deutschen Tradition des Beisammenseins bei Kaffee und Kuchen an einem Sonntagnachmittag. Sonntag lädt einen/eine Künstler*in ein, bei Kaffee und Kuchen Arbeiten in ei- ner privaten Wohnung zu zeigen. Durch diese soziale Erfahrung findet ein Austausch statt, der eine Verbindung zwischen dem/ der jeweiligen Künstler*in und den Betrachter*innen herstellt.

auslandsprachen @ sonntag

english text

The city has become more expensive overall and therefore there is less free space – there are less “Freiräume”. Our definition has not changed as a project space. The concept of an ideal space is completely dependent on what the organizers/artists/curators are interested in doing. In our opinion, there isn’t ONE type of space that is ideal which is actually what is so wonderful about project spaces in general – they are diverse, and completely different. It seems that because of the lack of spaces and the increased rents, more project spaces have turned towards commercial models. But since funding has become more commonplace in the scene, meaning it’s more common to pay artists who are involved in shows, performances, readings, events, etc. at project spaces, this has put more pressure on spaces in general to have to secure financing. We would argue that since funding has become more readily available, the structures have begun to change. It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. It’s wonderful to receive funding and be able to support artists, and as a result, the scene has become much more professional. But at the same time, it is harder in some ways to do projects more spontaneously and in an improvised fashion. This, as a result, has changed the (power) dynamics between the artists and the project space organizers, as very often the organizers are NOT funded but the artists participating in the projects are. This creates a rather awkward dynamic and as organizers ourselves, it’s frustrating for us to not be paid for our efforts and contributions to the “Freie Szene”.Delegate. Delegate. Delegate. It is absolutely necessary to delegate bureaucratic paperwork to those who are professionally trained in these tasks. Running a project space with all its paperwork baggage is taking a toll on creative output: it slows us down. However, we cannot get away from this bureaucratic burden since we lack the financial resources for professional assistance in these matters.To run a space is a form of appreciation of other artists, it is an outcome of friendship and mutual understanding; it is an indication of trust between all involved. To run a space means to take responsibility. To run a space is not only self-organization – money may not be vital to put up a show – but it is for sure necessary to animate a space and keep it alive. The prize comes due to hard and merited work, but maybe a grant would be more befitting than a prize? Maybe an iron scaffold holding up a structure in advance is better suited than a gold star for accomplishments? To run a space is a full time job. A group of artists who share their enthusiasm, interests, time, and skills would impart a project with a larger circulation of assignments between the makers. I am convinced that the longevity and success of a space relies on a horizontally organized (net) work.