Thursday 18 October 2012

Increase Your Intellectual Power

There are hundreds of galleries and museums in Berlin and all of them house inspirational art and thought provoking cultural information but it can be overwhelming to know which ones are worthy of your precious time. The following is a short list of galleries that focus on modern art, where you can absorb some arty facts that you could use to impress people at parties.

The me Collector Room
Auguststrasse 68, Mitte
U8 Weimeisterstrasse
Tue-Sun 12-6pm
6€, 4€
The me Collector Room showcases a series of rotating exhibitions that celebrate collecting and the childlike passion it instils in all of us. From street art and designer Japanese toys to voodoo figurines, you and your hoarding tendencies will be sure to have a soft spot for this colourful and energetic space. The exhibits will have nothing on your collection of fish eye, lomography and polaroid cameras but it's worth a look anyway. The two story building, with high ceilings and wide floors takes only 45 minutes to an hour to explore, however there is an open plan cafe (with wifi) which is the perfect place to sip on a Latte Macchiato and review the gallery on your blog.



Hamburger Bahnhof
Invalidenstrasse 50-51, Mitte
Hauptbahnhof
Tues-Fri 10-6pm, Sat 11-8pm, Sun 11-6pm
12€
Hamburger Bahnhof, an old railway station, turned modern art gallery is, somewhat suprisingly, in most guide books. With an entry price of 12€ and a constant flow of hipsters and arty-looking-types buying tickets, you'd expect a lot more than what this exhbition space has to offer. Admittedly the room with Warhol, Lichtenstein and Rauchenberg is fascinating but you have probably seen bigger and more impressive collections of Pop Art else where. The rest of the gallery is filled with works that make you wonder if and how it constitutes art, including a room filled with large, dull rocks and a collection of white chairs placed randomly in a hallway. Check the website for temporary exhibitions as they are often worth more attention than the rest, but you'd be better off visiting another gallery.


The Berlinische Gallery
Alte Jakobstrasse 124-128, Mitte
Wed-Mon 10am-6pm
8€, 4€
If wanky modern art is your thing then you should go to Berlinische Gallery. It houses a variety of German art from the late 19th century weaving it's way through the styles to the modern art of today. The first floor showcases the kind of beautifully obtruse art that no one understands, but you will no doubt be able to give everyone an in depth analysis of exactly how it comments on society. In addition to seemingly meaningless collages and tumblr-worthy light installations, the gallery often exhibits poignant political commentary that will have you writing letters to your local councillor as soon as you get the chance. If possible head down on the first Monday of the month when admission is half price and the space is rife with fellow amateur art critics donning DSLRs.

Motto
Skalitzer Strasse 68, Kreuzberg
U1 Schlesisches Tor
Mon-Sat 12-10pm
In a quiet courtyard behind the Schlesisches Tor U-bahn station lies the quaint book and magazine store called Motto. This small, cramped space stocks shelf upon shelf of discontinued street magazines and art, photography and literature books. A hipster's dream come true, Motto is definitely worth a look to get some inspiration for that 'zine you've been working on. The staff are happy to help you locate that one issue with the poetic short story you can't get out of your head, or let you browse on your own. As a small chain, Motto also has stores in New York, Vancouver, London, Tokyo and now Melbourne but the Berlin store is the only one that stocks German as well as English publications. Check their website for upcoming events such as book readings and launch parties.

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