Ceremoniously honoring clay at Wehrmühle Biesenthal
Art Biesenthal, a dynamic sound art installation, is currently hosting its annual exhibition titled Shapes of Comfort at Wehrmühle Biesenthal in Brandenburg, Germany. This contemporary project, which rotates its installations yearly, is curated by Tjioe Meyer, a curator of Turkish/Bosnian descent who was born in New York.
Tjioe Meyer, who grew up in a creative environment, holds a bachelor's degree in biology from London. Under Meyer's leadership, Art Biesenthal has a diverse group of artists, both established and emerging, for the Shapes of Comfort exhibition. This year, Elizaveta brought three Russian artists to Art Biesenthal, whose works are being showcased in the exhibition.
Iva Drekalovic and Davide Monaldi are among the artists residing and working at Art Biesenthal this year. Tjioe Meyer also took part in a clay workshop, contributing to this year's focus on ceramics for the Shapes of Comfort exhibition. The creations are meant to convey the circumstances under which they were created, making each piece a unique reflection of the artist's experience.
The exhibition is designed to be a meditative journey that encourages visitors to engage with the art and surroundings. Wehrmühle Biesenthal offers a unique art viewing experience, with a focus on harmony between art and nature, natural lighting, and a day-long experience that includes music and wine in the garden.
The Wehrmühle has a rich history. Originally built as a weir and later turned into a mill, it belonged to the Jewish Mühsam family in the early 20th century, who gave it a characteristic stucco facade. However, under the Nazi regime, the Mühsam family's property was seized and misused. The Wehrmühle was burned down in 2002 and was later developed into its current form by the Hecken family in 2003.
Art Biesenthal, while installed at Wehrmühle Biesenthal, is not tied exclusively to this location. It is an evolving work that relocates annually to different venues, reflecting a broader practice of site-specific experimental sound art in the Brandenburg region and beyond. This year's exhibition, Shapes of Comfort, runs until August 8.
In addition to the art residency aspect, Art Biesenthal also provides artists with materials and a creative studio. Jakub Kubica, who has previously exhibited at Art Biesenthal, is co-curating this year's exhibition. With its diverse group of artists, focus on ceramics, and immersive experience, Shapes of Comfort promises to be an engaging and thought-provoking exhibition.
The curator, Tjioe Meyer, brings her diverse background, both in science and art, to the leadership role at Art Biesenthal, where she cultivates a dynamic group of artists working in various media, including ceramics for this year's exhibition, Shapes of Comfort. Inspired by the home-and-garden setting of Wehrmühle Biesenthal, this lifestyle event offers a unique art viewing experience that merges art and nature.
