PARTNERS
JAŠA
Jaša Mrevlje-Pollak, professionally known as JAŠA, is a contemporary artist based in Berlin. Born in Ljubljana in 1978, he graduated from the Academy of Fine Arts in Venice in 2006. Renowned for his innovative approach merging visual arts with conceptual practices, JAŠA has exhibited internationally at prestigious venues such as the Venice Biennale and Frieze London and New York. His art explores themes of space, form, and socio-political issues, captivating audiences with its ability to provoke thought and emotion through installations and performances.
JAŠA's exploration of space and form challenges conventional boundaries in art, earning recognition for its complexity and depth. His works have been showcased at notable exhibition spaces, including Frieze London and New York, leaving a lasting impact on the contemporary art scene. Representing Slovenia at the Venice Biennale in 2015, his project "UTTER / The Violent Necessity for the Embodied Presence of Hope" solidified his position as a leading voice in contemporary art.
Across Europe and the US, JAŠA has exhibited widely in both solo and group shows, exploring diverse themes and concepts. Recent solo projects include "The Monuments," an ongoing 17-chapter project at Kühlhaus Berlin, and "Bloom" at KC Šiška in 2022. He has also participated in significant group exhibitions such as "Systems of Revolt" at Manifesta 13 – Les Parralleles du Sud in La Station, Nice in 2020, and "Church of All" at Museo Civico di Brunico in 2019.
In addition to his artistic pursuits, JAŠA is committed to mentoring emerging artists and sharing his expertise. Co-authoring "Making It: The Artist’s Survival Guide" with Noah Charney, he offers valuable insights into the creative process. With studios in both Ljubljana and Berlin, JAŠA continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art, leaving a profound and enduring impact on the cultural landscape.
www.jasha.org
KÜHLHAUS BERLIN
Kühlhaus Berlin is a unique independent exhibition space located in Berlin, Germany. Originally constructed in the late 19th century as a cold storage facility, Kühlhaus Berlin underwent extensive renovations to transform it into a vibrant cultural hub. The building's industrial charm, characterized by its exposed brickwork and steel structures, provides an atmospheric backdrop for contemporary art exhibitions and events.
As an independent exhibition space, Kühlhaus Berlin is known for its dedication to showcasing innovative and experimental works by emerging and established artists alike. The venue hosts a diverse range of exhibitions, including visual art installations, multimedia projects, and immersive experiences. With its spacious interior and flexible layout, Kühlhaus Berlin offers artists and curators the opportunity to realize ambitious and boundary-pushing artistic visions.
In addition to its exhibition program, Kühlhaus Berlin serves as a dynamic platform for cultural events and performances. The venue regularly hosts artist talks, panel discussions, film screenings, and live music performances, fostering a vibrant community of creatives and art enthusiasts. Its central location in Berlin's creative district adds to its appeal as a destination for cultural exploration and exchange.
Overall, Kühlhaus Berlin plays a vital role in Berlin's thriving art scene, offering a space for artistic experimentation, dialogue, and engagement. With its commitment to supporting innovative contemporary art practices, Kühlhaus Berlin continues to attract both local and international audiences, contributing to the city's reputation as a leading cultural capital.
https://www.kuehlhaus-berlin.com/
Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia
The Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia, commonly known as the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice, is one of the oldest art academies in Italy and Europe. Established in 1750, it has a rich history and tradition of artistic education and training. Located in Venice, Italy, the academy is housed in the Palazzo Carminati, a historic building near the Grand Canal.
The Academy of Fine Arts of Venice offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs in various fields of visual arts, including painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and multimedia arts. Its curriculum combines theoretical studies with practical studio work, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of art history, techniques, and contemporary artistic practices.
Throughout its history, the academy has played a significant role in shaping the development of art and culture in Venice and beyond. Many renowned artists, including Canaletto, Tiepolo, and Titian, have been associated with the academy either as students or faculty members. Today, the academy continues to attract talented artists from around the world, contributing to Venice's reputation as a center for artistic excellence and innovation.
In addition to its academic programs, the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice organizes exhibitions, lectures, and cultural events open to the public. These activities serve to promote dialogue and exchange within the artistic community and foster connections between students, faculty, and the broader public.
Overall, the Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia remains a prestigious institution dedicated to nurturing creativity, artistic expression, and critical thinking. Its commitment to excellence in arts education ensures that it continues to be a vital center for artistic learning and cultural enrichment in Venice and beyond.
PINA
PiNA is an association dedicated to culture and education, boasting a two-decade legacy in enhancing societal well-being, nurturing individual competencies, fostering collaboration, empowering civil society organizations and strengthening the culture of dialogue, as well as employing artistic presentations of research findings to infuse creativity into research actions. In 1998, PiNA was the first internet café in Slovenia, and by 2015, it has operated as a producer in the field of intermedia art. Since 2021, PiNA has been a proud owner of HEKA, a laboratory at the intersection of science, art and the economy, based on the concept of so-called »citizen science«. It is the first space of its kind in Istria.
PiNA strives to continuously acquire new knowledge and strengthen skills through workshops, trainings, meetings, conferences and innovative didactic tools. We are an active participant in the S+T+ARTS network and Creative Europe, further broadening our influence. PiNA is collaborating in three S+T+ARTS projects, which are tackling topics that the HEKA lab researches. S+T+ARTS AIR project harnesses the power of art, science and technology to tackle pressing challenges in our society. PiNA, along with four other S+T+ARTS regional centres, will promote the concept of art-driven innovation in the domain of air, facilitate artistic experiments through residencies, foster citizen participation, critical thinking, prevention capacity, and resilience by facilitating collaborative reflections on the theme of air. The STARTS4AFRICA project fosters innovation as a result of inclusive collaboration at the intersection of culture, technology and business, working with five digital innovation ecosystems and technology hubs in Senegal, Ghana, Tanzania, and Nigeria. The S+T+ARTS4Water2 project tackles environmental challenges in European ports using advanced digital technologies. Involving diverse stakeholders, it aims to explore sustainable solutions through residencies, meetings, a Summer School, and exhibitions, impacting over 15,000 people in Belgium, The Netherlands, Slovenia, Croatia, Ireland, France, Austria, and Italy.
https://www.pina.si/
WE ARE INSTITUTE
WE.ARE Institute aims to approach the central questions of our times through the production, display, and dissemination of contemporary art. Since our inception a decade ago, WE.ARE has established ourselves an international and dynamic force for progressive practices within the Berlin art scene, as well as in an international context. As an institute for all aspects of contemporary art production, through exhibitions and various event formats, WE.ARE has aligned ourselves towards the current tendencies of the national and international art and cultural discourse, actively developing them on a collaborative level with artists, institutions, and through commissioned works. As an institution for contemporary art without a collection of our own, the team at WE.ARE maintains a high degree of flexibility in creating our programs and addressing our audience.
www.we-are.institute