Berlin Strich & Faden Art Show Presents a Humorous Look at Regionalism

The Strich und Faden group show offers subversive travesties of folk art and folklore; documentations of contemporary tribal fashion codes; and works that thematize "Heimat" (regionalism), gender, identity and sexuality in innovative and humorous ways.

The word "Strich" means street prostitution, or a line in a drawing. The folksy German expression "nach Strich und Faden" however, has its origin in the craft of weaving, where it was used when testing the cloth's quality. It means to do something thoroughly, with great artistry and precision, or according to the rules of an art or craft. In contemporary language it has gained connotations of trickery, deceit and travesty.

Travesty (in the sense of deceit and role playing) is a device present in many works in this show, either as an artistic attitude, or as a subject matter. It is often used by gay or woman artists to subvert the traditions of Art & Crafts and nationalism. While often humorous, works like these nonetheless make serious and inspired statements about gender, race, regionalism and sexuality.

Artists: Ari Versluis & Ellie Uyttenbroek/Exactitudes (Netherlands), Astrid Küver (Germany), Betty Stürmer (Germany), Cross stitch ninja (Sweden), Jn.Ulrick Désert (Germany/USA), Johanna Schweizer (Netherlands), Kathrin Schädlich (Portugal), Mumbreeze (Kinya and Karo Hanada) (USA), René Schmalschläger (Netherlands), Sharon Pazner (Israel).

The art show takes place at art space Richard Sorge. From it's spacious loft location in a historic brewery (now the popular artistic center Friedrichshöhe, feat. many galleries, art- & music studios and event spaces) in the hip Berlin Friedrichshain neighborhood, the art space reaches a broad and often young, international audience, but adventurous discerning art lovers as well.

September 3th till October 8th 2008.

Opening reception: September 3th, 2008, 7 - 11 pm

Closing reception: October 8th, 7 pm

Hours: Sept. 4th - October 4th, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday, 3 - 8 pm

Location: Kunstraum Richard Sorge, Friedrichshöhe, Landsberger Allee 52-54, 10249 Berlin.

Visit the Facebook Fan Page, or the Flickr pages of the location.