2020,

Kunstasphalt e. V. / Galerie MAIFOTO

2020,

2009

Dresdener Straße

18

Berlin

10999

maifoto.de

Ute Langkafel, BerlinTRANZITIstanbul, 2009, Foto: Ute Langkafel

Ute Langkafel, Oranienplatz WAS BLEIBT, 2019, Foto: Ute Langkafel

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.Prinzipiell ist unsere Haltung heute, dass wir honorierte Arbeit − ob nun für die Infrastruktur oder einzelne Inhalte und Formate, ob für uns oder Dritte, mit denen wir arbeiten − als Prinzip anstreben.Art has the unique ability to help us expand our imagination and the way we think about the world. By bending the lines of logic and rational approaches, it offers a gateway to our collective unconscious and provides a terrain where everything is possible, hence pushing our thinking process forward. We see art and artists as seismographs for changes in society. There is also great freedom in art, addressing big and timeless questions that are independent of current economic and political realities and interests. Art can be a space for utopias, or for histories outside of history books. Art is important because it keeps us going through the difficult and dark times. Art keeps us alive.