2018,

Kinderhook & Caracas

2018, 2015,

2011

Kreuzbergstraße

42e

Berlin

10965

kinderhook-caracas.com

Merzbau-Garten, 2020, Foto: Joe Clark

Merzbau-Garten, Foto: Joe Clark

The Network is a fundamental organization in the artistic landscape of Berlin. Without the Network, many of the support structures that have been built in recent years simply would not exist. Unionizing has always been problematic in a sector like the art sphere where the construction of the worker has been historically based on the idea of the author, and therefore the ego. In order to achieve change, cooperative models like the Network are a must. The challenge is how to create belonging from difference.Ein großes Problem stellen natürlich die steigenden Mieten und die drohende Verdrängung von nicht gewinnorientierten Räumen aus der Stadt dar. Es wäre schade, wenn Fördergelder zum großen Teil an Vermieter fließen.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.