As an art connoisseur visiting Berlin, you’ll want to experience the city’s world-renowned art scene. One gallery you cannot miss is AFF Galerie, an avant-garde space showcasing thought-provoking contemporary art. AFF Galerie has been pushing creative boundaries in the heart of Berlin in Charlottenburg.
When you first arrive, you’ll be struck by the gallery’s minimalist exterior that belies the sensory experience within. Owner and curator Annette Frick has crafted a multidimensional space where art and architecture fuse. The main hall features high ceilings and stark white walls, creating a blank canvas highlighting innovative mixed-media works from emerging and established artists. You’ll discover experimental pieces incorporating light, sound, and technology in the upper-level project room.
A visit to AFF Galerie offers an unparalleled opportunity to discover daring and provocative art. Whether you find the works transformative or inscrutable, this avant-garde gallery will ignite your imagination and stay with you long after leaving Berlin. AFF Galerie is an insider’s must-see for any art lover visiting the city.
An Introduction to AFF Galerie: Berlin’s Home for Experimental Art
AFF Galerie is situated in the heart of Berlin’s Mitte district and has showcased innovative contemporary art. AFF Galerie is an interdisciplinary space that champions creative experimentation and provides a platform for emerging and established avant-garde artists.
AFF Galerie hosts six significant exhibitions each year in its two gallery spaces. The program focuses primarily on conceptual art, multimedia installations, and cross-genre works that push the boundaries of traditional mediums. The gallery aims to provoke critical discourse by exhibiting pieces unconventionally exploring topical social, political and cultural themes.
In addition to its exhibition program, AFF Galerie actively supports artistic development through its residency program. The gallery invites three artists each year to utilize its project space and provides material resources and curatorial guidance. Resident artists have the opportunity to create site-specific works, interact with the vibrant local art scene, and establish connections within Berlin’s creative community.
AFF Galerie’s daring and thought-provoking exhibitions and commitment to nurturing new talent have established its reputation as a pioneering space for avant-garde art in Berlin. Art enthusiasts looking to discover experimental works by up-and-coming artists would do well to visit this progressive art hub in the city’s heart. Overall, AFF Galerie is a pivotal destination for anyone interested in the future of conceptual art.
The History and Evolution of AFF Galerie over the Years
AFF Galerie has been at the forefront of Berlin’s contemporary art scene for over 20 years. Axel Haubrok and Fabian Schöneich founded AFF Galerie as an artist-run space in a former locksmith’s workshop. Over the years, it has become one of the city’s most prestigious galleries for innovative contemporary art.
The Early Years: Emerging Talent and Experimentation
In its initial years, AFF Galerie focused on showcasing emerging Berlin-based artists and conceptual art. Exhibitions during this period were characterized by experimentation with new mediums and an interdisciplinary approach. Notable shows included Olafur Eliasson’s “Surrounded by Time” in 1998 and Tino Sehgal’s “Instead of Allowing thing to Rise to Your Face Dancing Bruce and Dan and Other Things” in 2000.
Establishing a Global Reputation
In the mid-2000s, AFF Galerie started representing internationally renowned artists and participating in prominent art fairs. This shift to a more global profile and a broader range of artistic practices solidified its reputation as a pioneering institution.
Some of the most influential exhibitions were:
| 2008 | “Rooms and Events” |
| 2012 | “The Cabaret Crusades” |
Today, AFF Galerie balances experimental formats with shows by emerging and established contemporary artists. AFF Galerie has shaped Berlin’s vibrant art scene for over two decades through its unwavering commitment to innovative art. AFF Galerie is a must-see destination for those interested in experiencing the cutting edge of conceptual art.
Spotlight on Notable Artists Featured at AFF Galerie
AFF Galerie features innovative contemporary art focusing on multimedia, conceptual art, and modern abstraction. Since its founding in 2016, the gallery has showcased several notable Berlin-based and international artists.
| Olafur Eliasson | AFF Galerie has exhibited works by Olafur Eliasson, known for his sculptures and large-scale installations exploring light, movement, and perception. Eliasson’s work at the gallery includes Your Uncertain Shadow (Color Experiments), a series of circular abstract paintings created using colour theory and optics. |
| Alicja Kwade | Berlin-based artist Alicja Kwade creates multimedia sculptures and installations that challenge our assumptions about space, time, and physics. Her 2017 solo exhibition LinienLand featured a large-scale installation of marble stones, steel frames, and mirrors that played with ideas of infinite space and parallel worlds. |
| Setareh Shahbazi | AFF Galerie has showcased photo-based work from Iranian artist Setareh Shahbazi, whose conceptual pieces explore migration, cultural identity, and loss of place. Shahbazi’s 2018 exhibition, The Arid Garden, featured still lifes of plants native to Iran photographed against coloured backdrops, questioning notions of belonging and alienation. |
AFF Galerie’s avant-garde program and spotlight on progressive contemporary artists have established its reputation as an influential platform for conceptual and interdisciplinary art in Berlin’s art scene. With a series of thought-provoking exhibitions, performances, and artist talks, AFF Galerie is a hub for engaging with groundbreaking contemporary art.
What to Expect During a Visit to the AFF Galerie?
When visiting AFF Galerie, you can expect an avant-garde experience showcasing contemporary art. The gallery, located in an industrial building complex, features an array of mediums, from video and photography to sculpture and installation art.
Upon arriving, you will check in with the front desk receptionist, who will provide an overview of the current exhibitions and events. The main gallery space has high ceilings and concrete floors, providing a sleek backdrop for the conceptual works on display. Pieces are thoughtfully arranged throughout the area, allowing visitors to explore freely.
AFF Galerie aims to cultivate discourse around innovative contemporary art. Exhibitions change frequently, approximately every 4 to 6 weeks, ensuring there is always something new to discover. The gallery hosts opening receptions where you can meet the artists and other patrons while enjoying drinks. It is an ideal opportunity to learn about the creative processes behind the featured works.
In addition to the main gallery, AFF Galerie operates two Project Spaces dedicated to showcasing emerging artists and experimental works. The Project Spaces have shorter exhibition cycles, changing roughly every two weeks, to highlight up-and-coming talent in the contemporary art scene.
While admission to the AFF Galerie is free, some special events may have an entrance fee. The gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from 12 pm to 6 pm. Guided tours are provided upon request in advance. AFF Galerie seeks to make contemporary art accessible to enthusiasts and novices.
A visit to the AFF Galerie promises an innovative artistic experience in an iconic Berlin institution supporting pioneering contemporary artists. Thgallery’s cutting-edge program and frequent rotation of exhibitions means there is always an exciting discovery around every corner.
The Future of AFF Galerie: Continuing to Push Artistic Boundaries
AFF Galerie has established itself as a pioneer of avant-garde art in Berlin. Under the leadership of its founder, Aurel Scheibler, the gallery has consistently pushed contemporary art’s boundaries by promoting experimental works.
An Enduring Vision
Since its founding in 2008, AFF Galerie has followed Scheibler’s vision to exhibit progressive, thought-provoking pieces that challenge traditional art concepts. The gallery represents emerging and established experimental artists, especially those working in mixed media, installation, and conceptual art.
AFF Galerie aims to remain at the forefront of Berlin’s contemporary art scene. Scheibler intends to continue discovering and cultivating relationships with pioneering artists, testing the limits of their respective mediums. The gallery seeks to provide a platform for artists to ask difficult questions about society, identity, and existence through their work.
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Quick Facts About AFF Galerie
Name: AFF Galerie
Location: Berlin
Country: Germany
Address: Kochhannstraße 14, 10249 Berlin, Germany
Zipcode: 10249
Telephone: +49 30 54733692
Email: info@aff-galerie.de
