2017,

Manière Noire

2017,

2009–2019

© Archivbild manière noire

The Project Space Prize has not only saved many spaces and kept them alive for a longer period but basically generated a unique experimental and diverse art scene in Berlin. The Prize has also very much encouraged the founding of new spaces, fueled by the hope of receiving funding at some point. More than anything, it is an example of how much a certain public funding strategy can completely shape a local art scene.Ich wünsche mir mehr Selbstverwaltung der Förderungen und weniger Verwaltungshürden oder Barrikaden. Städtischer Leerstand sollte schnell und unbürokratisch zur Zwischennutzung für Projekträume nutzbar gemacht werden, selbstverwaltete künstlerische Freiräume, Projekte oder Hausgemeinschaften müssen unbedingt erhalten bleiben.… But definitely key words such as “project space”, “artist-run”, “grassroots”, “laboratory”, etc. are still good key words (to be constantly re-discussed) that underline the spirit and intention of such open experiments that somehow can only function as open experiments! A free interactive and inclusive format to create, express, and exchange interdisciplinary ideas with spontaneous, playful, DIY approaches; having access to and exchanging various physical spaces to manifest all facets of what independent cultural production can unfold – also in the sense of creating social awareness and responsibility due to the fact that every single participant, no matter the “role” or “title” is deeply aware & involved in the process of making things happen, sharing responsibilities and profits (if there are any 🙂 … Investors and businesses assumed the form of faceless international partnerships with enormous capital and devouring public resources deciding on the future of all citizens, delivering less and less social protection and consideration for cultural and social diversity.