On the occasion of Pride Month, in which the LGBTQ+ Community celebrates diversity and tolerance, we have compiled the most interesting special exhibitions and interventions in existing collections for you under the collective term "queer perspectives". Starting with Andy Warhol, through Jewish positions on sexuality to traditional role models that are challenged by ancient ideas. Discover new perspectives on old collections and exciting special exhibitions during Pride Month and beyond.
Tip 1: Andy Warhol - Velvet Rage and Beauty at the Neue Nationalgalerie
From the 1960s until his untimely death in the 1980s, the legendary artist Andy Warhol was active in the intellectual and creative scene in New York, which also included many characters from the queer scene. His impressions and the people who surrounded him in his studio and in the famous Studio 54 nightclub shaped his artistic work.
The title of the current exhibition at the Neue Nationalgalerie refers to the book "The Velvet Rage" by psychologist Alan Dows, published in 2005. In it, the author describes the challenge of growing up as a homosexual man in a heterosexually dominated society. The exhibition thus builds a bridge to Warhol's own sexual identity, which could only find subliminal expression in his main work due to prevailing social conventions.
When: Until 6 October
Where: Neue Nationalgalerie, Potsdamer Straße 50, Mitte
Tip 2: Andy Warhol - After the Party
After the party is before the party. And after the Andy Warhol exhibition is before the Andy Warhol exhibition. This exhibition focusses on his photographic works and shows snapshots of visitors to the New York studio and Warhol's everyday life, with sexually implicit content also on display. The photographs on display are lendings from the James R. Hedges IV Collection in Los Angeles and the Jack Shainman Gallery in New York.
When: Until 15 September
Where: Fotografiska Berlin, Oranienburger Str. 60, Mitte
Andy Warhol - After the Party
Tip 3: "Like a Whirlwind" at Freiraum für Fotografie
At f³ Freiraum für Fotografie you can currently visit the exhibition "LIKE A WHIRLWIND - The Genderplays of Marie Høeg & Bolette Berg". It deals with photographic material that is rarely found: cross-dressing shots from the late 19th and early 20th century.
In the protected atmosphere of their studio, the two Norwegian photographers, who were also a couple, created special scenes. They questioned gender roles and dressed unconventionally - the photographs were of course not allowed to go public at the time and are all the more interesting today.
When: Until 25 August
Where: f³ Freiraum für Fotografie, Waldemarstraße 17, Mitte
Like a Whirlwind
Tip 4: Jewish positions on queerness
In the taboo-free exhibition "Sex. Jewish Positions" at the Jewish Museum Berlin, you can expect interesting insights into the diverse concepts of sexuality that are lived out within Judaism. Of course, this also includes queer facets of being Jewish.
The exhibition includes artistic objects as well as multimedia and historical approaches. There are also a number of interesting accompanying digital offers.
When: Until 6 October
Where: Jewish Museum Berlin, Lindenstraße 14, Kreuzberg
Tip 5: A queer look at the ethnological collection in the Humboldt Forum
The ethnological collection at the Humboldt Forum is a treasure trove of things to see in itself. But if you would like to see the objects from a new perspective, you can do so on this special guided tour entitled "Beyond the norm? A queer look at gender and sexuality in the ethnological collection".
How are couple relationships and gender roles expressed in the objects of different cultures? And how did the researchers who once brought the artefacts to Europe reinterpret them against their own cultural background?
When: 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 July, German Language
Where: Ethnologisches Museum, Humboldt Forum, Mitte
Beyond the norm?
Tip 6: Gay Museum Berlin
There are currently two interesting exhibitions on show at the Gay Museum. One deals with the history of queer movements in Germany and is travelling around the world as a touring exhibition in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut and the Federal Agency for Civic Education. Number two deals with the tabooed topic of sex work and highlights the intersections with the queer community, including historical aspects.
When: Until 30 September and 11 November
Where: Schwules Museum Berlin, Lützowstraße 73, Mitte
To the Schwules Museum
Tip 7: Queer filmmaking at the Deutsche Kinemathek
This curator's tour opens up new perspectives on the Deutsche Kinemathek's extensive collection. Various portrayals of queer people in film will be discussed and you will learn more about the background to the exhibits and queer filmmaking.
When: 28 July, German Language
Where: Deutsche Kinemathek, Potsdamer Straße 2, Mitte
Tip 8: "Ruins of Rooms" at KW Institute of Contemporary Art
A dialogue of drawings, paintings and photographs by the artists Jimmy DeSana and Paul P. The two artists, who just missed each other in time - DeSana died in the 1990s as a result of AIDS, Paul P.'s artistic work began in the early 2000s - dedicate their works to physical representations and portraits. Despite their temporally staggered work, overarching, universal themes can be identified in their art.
When: Until 20 October
Where: KW Institute of Contemporary Art, Auguststraße 69, Mitte
Ruins of Rooms
Tip 9: Queer perspectives on the Hamburger Bahnhof collection
The Hamburger Bahnhof, the Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart, also offers a tour focussing specifically on the topic of LGBTQ+. The conventional reading of the artworks is challenged during this one-hour tour, queer connections in the collection are explained in more detail. Take the opportunity to also view the works of the winners of the "Preis der Nationalgalerie", including Daniel Lie, who identifies as trans-nonbinary.
When: 29 June, 13 July, 10 August
Where: Hamburger Bahnhof, Invalidenstraße 50/51, Mitte
Hamburger Bahnhof - Queer betrachtet
Tip 10: A second look at the Bode Museum
In cooperation with the Gay Museum Berlin, the Bode Museum has developed five tours through the existing collection under the title "The Second Look: Varieties of Love", the Bode Museum has developed five tours through the existing collection that introduce you to queer points of reference. This includes sculptures and paintings from late antiquity to the early 19th century, giving you an insight into how the understanding of sexualities and gender identities has changed over the centuries. You can explore the tours independently during the museum's opening hours.
When: Wednesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am to 6pm
Where: Bode-Museum, Am Kupfergraben, Mitte
The second look: Varieties of Love
Tip 11: Queer Visibility in the Collection of the Berlinische Galerie
This virtual project called "Out and About. Queer Visibilities in the Collection" systematically scrutinises the Berlinische Galerie's collection for queer readability. In addition to the team of volunteers, who make the results available online, invited authors analyse the works.
The collection of the Berlinische Galerie, which includes artworks created in Berlin from 1870 onwards, opens up numerous interesting perspectives. Not only were many artists themselves part of the queer scene in Berlin, but there are also works that make times of political persecution and lack of social acceptance tangible.
When: Until 30 November
Where: Virtually at berlinischegalerie.de/out-and-about
Out and about at the Berlinische Galerie
