By Florian Blumann
Imprisoned women once sat in the cells, now art hangs on the wall: the prideArt collective invites you to an exhibition in “The Knast”.
In the former women’s prison, the cells are no longer inmates, but art. The collective “prideArt” has moved into the rooms.
The group was founded by the Berlin photographer and painter Lars Deike (59). Before the opening, he gives the BZ an exclusive tour. There are 68 cells in the building. But not all of them are used for art. Luxury hotel suites are currently being built in another part of the building.
One cell, one studio: A total of 33 artists are represented in “Primal Matter”. Photo: Ufuk Ucta
Places GmbH has owned the building since 2017 and has renamed it “The Knast” and “Soeth7”, based on the address Soehtstraße 7. An artist now has his studio in every cell. Deike even has three: “I would always like to exhibit everything,” he admits.
There were still criminals in the building until 2010, after which the house, built in 1906 with its Neo-Renaissance facade, was used for film work, including the hit series “Babylon Berlin” and “4 Blocks”.
prideArt founder Lars Deike in front of his works: “I like listening to classical music at work!” Photo: Ufuk Ucta
Even if this time in the exhibition “Primal Matter” almost exclusively the nudes of gay men are portrayed in paintings and photographs, most of the works are created by female artists. According to Deike, 60 to 70 percent of the members are women.
A portrait of Sean Alistair Photo: Ufuk Ucta
“The Knast” is located in a residential area, last summer the residents were amazed on their balconies. Around 50 men dressed as dogs howled in the courtyard. Deike: “There were never any problems, everyone is nice to each other.”
From 18 years, 6.4. Vernissage7-10 p.m., 7-10.4. 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Söhtstraße 7, 12203 Berlin, free admission, ☎ 27 90 990 11