Interview with Leah Stuhltrager about the East West Project
Hi Leah thanks for doing this
Tell me a bit about your gallery
Since when does it exist, who runs it and what kind of Art is exhibited there?
Dam, Stuhltrager has existed for over a decade, but it transformed from a project space to a professional gallery about four years ago. The gallery is recognized for the new media and installation artists. The gallery represents Mark Andreas, Brose Partington, Ryan Wolfe, Mark Esper, Ruth Marshall, Anna Frants and Cris Dam.
As a general rule, I am attracted to artists/artworks that pack more than a knock knock joke's punchline. I'm interested in learning more about what a piece is conveying when it exudes independence in thought and voice. I respect artwork that speaks eloquently for itself and isn't reliant on a trend or accompanying catalog. Generally, I am drawn to artists who redefine the medium they work with so that the medium may work specifically with them.
What is the mission of Art and what can we learn from Art History?
I had a conversation with one of my artists today about what it means to be an artist. It climaxed in him telling me, "Making art doesn't always make me happy. Its just what I was born to do."
If open, inquisitive and patient, one can learn all he/she needs to know from Art History... But it is Art History's philosophical conundrums that keeps someone creating. There's still answers to be conceived through Art and that's a sufficient enough reason for a true artist to donate their life to trying to communicating them.
What is your connection to Berlin and how did you come up with the idea to open an annex in Berlin?
Over the past few years, my gallery has developed very sincere and rewarding long term ties to the international art communities in St Petersburg/Russia, Istanbul/Turkey, Madrid/Spain and Basel/Switzerland. We’ve been lucky to be a part of an unifying international circuit of galleries who are in business not for the money but primarily for the love of art. Gaining the experience, exposure and absorbing the culture throughout the greater "Art World" gives my artists the tools and knowledge to communicate more universally through their work.
Stepping out of your own front yard is important to any career but learning from the experiences/people met along the way is more important. It is the knowledge gained that informs the art/curation, not the notches in the resume. The contemporary art communities in Berlin and Shanghai were places my artists and I felt great admiration for and energy pulsating from. This September, we opened up EAST/WEST (a six month project) in Berlin and created three installations for an exhibit at Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai.
What do you think of Berlin as an Art capital comparison to NY?
They are very different in every way and are defined by the characteristics that make them so unalike. Thank goodness for that.
How did you get in touch with Gallery Homeland and Portland Artists and how does it feel working with a Guest curator?
I've known Paul Middendorf from Gallery Homeland for several years. The gallery curation is fairly straightforward, East Coast artists are selected by me, West Coast artists are selected by Paul. Interestingly enough, the Brooklyn artists I selected for EAST/WEST tend to create works that emanate nature as a theme in one way or another while Paul selected Portland artists who are generally inspired by urban landscapes and issues.
Each exhibit at EAST/WEST includes at least one Berlin artist (and often their gallery). In the past, I have found working with other galleries (guest curating artists) has led to relationships that I am honored to hold close long after the exhibition closes. It is my goal and hope that this is true of the professional and personal relationships begun in Berlin over the next few months.
What is the premise of "the East West Project", how is it financed and what are the expectations for it?
EAST/WEST Berlin is the pilot for a 6 month project that everyone involved foresees/is working towards building into a continuing program. It currently is being financed equally by me and by Gallery Homeland. The next incarnation of EAST/WEST is positioned to have space donated and more private sponsorship.
What kind of issues are addressed by your artists?
My artists address issues that are current, timeless and clearly articulated within their art. I support causes and artists I feel contribute meaningful discourse to the advancement of art. My attention is dedicated to those who are saying things no one else has completely said, who's places in art history are not accessory, who have a contribution that is only theirs to offer.
For how long will the project run and how has it been received in the Berlin art scene and what are the art trends there?
EAST/WEST Berlin runs from Sept 19, '09 thru April 1, '10. We have had our doors open for six days so it is impossible to discuss how we've been received just yet. Likewise, as a newbie just immersed here in Berlin as of last week, I'm among the last among the crowd to have a viable or insightful opinion on trends this early in my tenure here.
Can we expect a project in Portland by Dam Stuhltrager?
All is possible if it is wanted enough.
How has the new economy influenced the international Art world?
Artists should be and are inspired by other things than the market.
What is in next for your gallery?
Beyond our homebase in Brooklyn and EAST/WEST in Berlin, my gallery currently has artists exhibiting or installing at The Oriental Pearl Tower in Shanghai, The Moscow Biennial, The Mills Building in San Francisco and The Hunterdon Museum in New Jersey.
Anything else you’d like to share?
The EAST/WEST Project is online
at http://www.damstuhltrager.com/east_west.html
As well, we have a facebook page heavy with photos so its easy to virtually visit our exhibits in Germany from America
at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/profile.php?id=100000238313482&ref=profile
Dam, Stuhltrager Gallery
38 Marcy Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11211
www.damstuhltrager.com
info@damstuhltrager.com
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