Felipe Castelblanco solo exhibition in the Haus für Haus für Medienkunst Oldenburg.

The Haus für Medienkunst Oldenburg presents a major solo exhibition by Felipe Castelblanco: Counter-Expeditions, title for the exhibition, features several new works as well as a retrospective of his ten-year interdisciplinary practice. On view are films, video installations, and photographs created in collaboration with communities in various regions—from the foothills of the Andes-Amazon to the North Atlantic. Rooted in a conceptually rich practice of site-specific research and artistic intervention, Counter-Expeditions proposes a radical rethinking of the colonial and epistemological legacy of the expedition.

While the traditional expedition is understood as an act of conquest, discovery, or exploitation, Castelblanco’s counter-expeditions open up a reciprocal form of movement that prioritizes encounter, engagement, and dialogue with people and places. These works invite us to cross the physical, mental, and political boundaries that separate knowledge systems and worldviews. In the counter-expeditions, the movement of the travelers through the terrain forms a continuum that brings one place into dialogue with the next. The counter-expeditions therefore do not aim to take possession of the memory, the place, or the novelty of the encounter. Nor do they attempt to claim parts of the landscape for themselves in order to justify their journey. Instead, the counter-explorers bring new energy to the eco-social fabric they encounter through offerings, reciprocity, celebration, contemplation, and collaboration with those who live in and care for the places that welcome them. Unlike the flâneur, the counter-expeditionist is exposed, and their own body endures, filters, absorbs, and even carries each place within them as a collection of experiences, mixtures, detours, and strange encounters with ever-changing biocultural landscapes.

Felipe Castelblanco in the Haus für Haus für Medienkunst Oldenburg.

Opening July 2nd.

Haus für Medienkunst Oldenburg

Katharinenstraße 23
D-26121 Oldenburg

MOS, GORZOW, PRESENTS MOTHER-BURN

Opening: 6.06.2025, 18:00 Curator: Bartosz Nowak

MOS In Gorzow, Poland, presents “MOTHER-BURN”, the second video of a trilogy by the artist-couple Mario Asef & Kirstin Burckhardt. It was filmed on-site in the burned remains of a Redwood tree grove in the ecologically avantgarde architecture project “The Sea Ranch” in Northern California. Based on extensive periods of research there, Asef-Burckhardt created videos, drawings, paintings, performance, sound, photographs and poems produced on site and in Berlin. Their multimedia project is continuously expanding and shown in changing settings at exhibition venues in different countries.

Against the acute backdrop of the global environmental crisis, new anthropological questions such as ‘What must architecture connect today?’ and ‘What must love achieve today?’ are raised and artistically explored in close relation to the real topography of the The Sea Ranch. Situated in the north of San Francisco, The Sea Ranch is a 10 mile strip of land with clustered residential buildings which are integrated into the sharp cliffs of the Pacific. Strong, saltsoaked winds from the sea, rugged rocks in fine sand and ancient redwood forests characterise the landscape here. The masterplan for this territory was developed by the landscape architect Lawrence Halprin in collaboration with the four architects Richard Whitaker, Donlyn Lyndon, Charles Moore, and William Turnbull in the 1960s. To invigorate community building, Lawrence developed workshops together with his wife, the choreographer Anna Halprin. Since then, the estate has continued to grow and still sets international standards for the interplay between architecture and nature – in other words, ‘protection’ and ‘environment.

🎙️Martin Benson New Podcast Episode with Nika Fontaine.

In this episode, Martin Benson sits down with Nika Fontaine for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation. Together, they delve into Nika’s personal history and her ongoing exploration of identity and spirituality. The discussion weaves through themes of alchemy, transformation, and the powerful role of art as a medium for self-discovery and ego dissolution.

A profound dialogue on creativity, inner change, and the spiritual dimensions of artistic expression.

Lauriston Avery Interview

“My practice has always been there for me, and I find a necessary connection when I’m engaged with it”

Lauriston Avery

An interview with Lauriston Avery, one of the most charismatic and reflective artists we have worked with. After his incredible and successful solo show in New York, on the contemporary art gladiator circuit, at the Dutton Gallery, “The other ones”; this short interview with Riad Miah was published today, (03.04.25) in art spiel.

For all those interested in the dynamic development of the New York art scene, which has contributed so much to the history of art, I recommend Lauriston Avery Interview and the magazine. Read Here

Felipe Castelblanco, a Colombian-American artist renowned for his interdisciplinary approach, is currently showcasing new works in the exhibition “Unter Pflanzen” (“Among Plants”) at Museum Sinclair-Haus in Bad Homburg v.d. Höhe, Germany. The exhibition opened on March 16 and will run through August 17, 2025.

“Unter Pflanzen” invites viewers to reimagine their relationship with the plant world, encouraging an understanding of plants as active, sentient beings. Castelblanco’s contributions to the exhibition align with his broader artistic practice, which often explores themes of ecology, community, and the intersection between human and non-human entities. Curated by Kathrin Meyer and Yvonne Volkart, with Moritz Ohlig and Sophie Olivott.

His work in “Unter Pflanzen” continues to demonstrate his commitment to fostering dialogues that challenge conventional perceptions and promote a deeper connection with the natural world.

Andreas Steinbrecher “Ruf der Trumpeten” – A wonderful review by Helga Meister

Our exhibition “Call of the Trumpets” with Andreas Steinbrecher has received a great review by Helga Meister, which was published today in the print edition of the Rheinische Post.

May this article not only honor Andreas’ artistic development, but also celebrate the energy and tireless passion of Helga Meister – an important voice in art criticism and a role model for us all: When she visited our exhibition, freezing temperatures prevailed – but nothing stopped her from discovering art and sharing her impressions with us.

With her keen eye, she describes the development of Andreas Steinbrecher’s painting: “The line determines the art. And it gains a new confidence from one canvas to the next.”
With great skill, he incorporates the line into his painting and harmonizes it with the color. Color and line were a subject of debate in 19th-century painting schools for decades. But Andreas, like his painting, radiates a warmth that captivates the viewer. This warmth enables him to create a connection between the two formal components of painting.

We are very happy about this appreciation and thank Helga Meister for her in-depth analysis and her love of art.

📍 The exhibition can be seen at wildpalms until March 16th.

Asef-Burckhardt at Kunstverein Göttingen.

SHELTER–BONE, the latest project by the artist duo Mario Asef–Kirstin Burckhardt. Opening January 11th at Kunstverein Göttingen.

The Sea Ranch in the north of San Francisco, founded in the 1960s by landscape architect Lawrence Halprin and his wife Anna Halprin with an interdisciplinary team, is considered an ecological avant-garde model for the interplay between architecture and nature. “SHELTER–BONE”, the latest project by the art duo Asef–Burckhardt, is based on intensive research in this visionary settlement and, against the backdrop of global environmental crises, asks: ‘What must architecture connect today?’ and ”What must love achieve today?” The multimedia works were developed in Sea Ranch and Berlin and are presented in changing exhibitions. The Kunstverein is showing this series of works in Göttingen under the leitmotif: “What does protection mean in our time?”

Un nuevo episodio de nuestro podcast “en todos lados se cuecen habas” con Ximena Apisdorf

2024 no ha sido un año fácil para la cultura a nivel mundial.

Recortes presupuestarios, censura, corrupción y un mercado del arte desacelerado han generado un entorno desafiante, especialmente para los artistas independientes. 

Sin embargo, en medio de estas dificultades, también ha surgido una necesidad urgente de colaboración y solidaridad entre los miembros de la comunidad artística.

Hoy, Ximena nos ayudará a entender la complejidad de estos problemas y a reflexionar sobre cómo los eventos desafortunados dentro de la escena artística no son simples escándalos mediáticos, sino síntomas de un sistema más profundo.

Un ejemplo reciente ha sacudido a México: el uso abusivo del Museo Nacional de Arte (Munal) para celebrar la boda de un funcionario del gobierno. Este evento expone las tensiones entre el interés privado y la gestión de espacios públicos culturales, reflejando un patrón global. 

Lo colectivo se ha visto privatizado, mientras que el déficit y las consecuencias se han vuelto problemas compartidos por toda la sociedad. 

La comunidad artística y el público terminan siendo los principales afectados, perdiendo acceso y voz en los espacios que deberían pertenecerles.

Pero esto no es exclusivo de México. Los mismos conflictos se manifiestan en Alemania, en América Latina y en diversas partes del mundo. Por ello, en este podcast exploraremos estas tensiones y cómo afectan a la colectividad artística global.

Si algo similar está ocurriendo en tu país y quieres compartir tu experiencia, escríbenos. Estaremos felices de abrir el espacio para reflexionar y dialogar juntos.

Adenda.  El uso del espacio del Munal se presentó como una conmemoración del 89º aniversario de las relaciones diplomáticas entre México y Rumania. 

Gabriel Orozco nació en Jalapa, Veracruz. A los seis años de edad su familia se mudó a Ciudad de México

Cantabrian’s Art Collection acquires work by Mauricio Limón de León.

The Cantabria Art Collection, “Coleccion del Norte” now on view. The Regional Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Sport presents the exhibition ‘Salto ’ in the Concepción Arenal Hall of the Los Arenales Cultural Centre, Central Library of Cantabria. The exhibition, curated by Laura Olea, brings together the winning and finalist works of the latest Plastic Arts Awards and the new acquisitions made at this year’s ArteSantander fair. Opens December 19th until February 2nd. 2025,

As the curator explains, ‘Salto “ ”refers to the diversity of the works that make up this group exhibition: artists at different points in their careers, with different disciplines, media and themes’.

The second part of the exhibition focuses on the new acquisitions made by the Government of Cantabria in the last edition of ArteSantander, which will become part of the Northern Collection of Contemporary Art. This selection, made by a committee formed by Alejandro Alonso Díaz, Laura Olea López and Carmen Quijano, allows visitors to take a closer look at new perspectives on current artistic creation.

Among the works acquired is by Mauricio Limón de León, a piece that maps the urban spaces of Mexico City through community experiences.

The exhibition ‘Salto ’ thus offers a unique opportunity to discover the richness and diversity of contemporary art in Cantabria and other territories, highlighting the latest trends and new artistic languages that coexist today.

Press

Óscar Ardila Luna en conversación en este nuevo episodio.

Un nuevo episodio de “En todos lados se cuecen habas” de Jorge Sanguino como parte de su proyecto Art of The Americas.

Recortes en la cultura y el arte en Alemania: Berlín una de las ciudades más importantes en el mundo para la cultura y la producción de arte afronta una de sus peores crisis. El déficit de la ciudad ha obligado a un recorte de 130 millones de euros afectando proyectos, instituciones, artistas, curadores, así como todos los profesionales de la cultura. Despidos laborales, anuncios de desalojamiento de los talleres y de locales de ensayos, así como la incertidumbre se suman al estado precario de los trabajadores e instituciones culturales alemanas. Óscar Ardila Luna, curador y artista, nos explica que está sucediendo en Berlín. Con 17 años de conocimiento y trabajo en la escena artistica de Berlín, la descripción y análisis de la situación actual por parte de Óscar es un verdadero testimonio de lo que se está perdiendo en la ciudad, así como una voz de animo para todos los colegas en momentos inciertos.