insitu – art space

insitu had been a non-profit space for contemporary art in Berlin, founded in 2012 and run till 2017 by the curators Marie Graftieaux, Nora Mayr, Gilles Neiens and Lauren Reid. The two-room souterrain was located in the middle of the new gallery district of Berlin-Schöneberg. The name insitu refers to the curatorial team’s understanding of curatorial practice as being necessarily »in situ« in terms of cultural, social and geographical spaces. insitu worked in yearly cycles within which the team focused for its program on one specific topic or challenge.   

For its CYCLE I (April 2013 – May 2014) insitu planned an exhibition cycle of 8 episodes dealing with fundametal questions surrounding the production of art: from the blank wall of the studio, to the jungle of the art market. The team looked for possible answers to their questions by inviting emerging artists from their countries of origin, as well as international artists based in Berlin.

For its program CYCLE II (June 2014 to March 2015) insitu had been a catalyst to form relationships, networks and connections. Having this wide field in mind, insitu aims to set up different formats of exchange; this includes both exhibition topics as well as curatorial methods and formats that facilitate multi-directional dialogue between artists, curators, audiences, countries, ideas and spaces. The concept gives the possibility to engage collaboratively and gain deeper understanding of different approaches to artistic work and curatorial processes.

Each exhibition of CYCLE III provided visitors with an intimate encounter of a fictional character, creating the feeling that one not only just met a new person but entered into their private world or psyche. Cycle III is a way to experiment with new formats of exhibition concepts and bring a new sense of freedom into putting a show together and connecting artistic practices with the aim to challenge traditional ways of art reception and curating. How can we change the behaviour of visitors in an exhibition? How can expectations towards exhibition viewing be readjusted? How can the encounter with an individual artwork be rethought?

CYCLE IV presented an ambitious three exhibition cycle dealing with the potential of time travel. Described as Corridors each exhibition took visitors on an unfolding narrative that provided a special exhibition-viewing experience. Each show began with a significant moment related to scientific discoveries or notorious events in history.

In 2015 insitu was awarded the Prize for Independent Project Spaces and Initiatives by the Berlin Senate.