Memories and history in thread and paper

Berlin’s historic museum Gropius Bau was recently the setting for a distinctly modern exhibition. “And Berlin Will Always Need You. Art, Craft and Concept Made in Berlin” ran from March to June 2019 and featured commissioned works that explored crafts and handmade processes in Berlin’s contemporary art scene. 

The artists showcased works that engaged with traditional methods of production, aesthetics and materiality while examining historical artifacts and objects.

Textile artist Chiharu Shiota, known for fantastical installations made of webs of yarn, created the ethereal “Beyond Memory” in the museum’s giant atrium. Designed for the space, the artwork seems to float like a cloud above the room. It consisted of countless white threads interwoven with paper memorabilia including pages from books, historical images and leaflets. The effect was meant to meld the past and the future in a cloud of thought and connections. For more information, visit www.chiharu-shiota.com.