White Line Hotels

40 Galleries, 40 Openings, 3 Days, 3 Nights

The excitement of Berlin’s Gallery Weekend is already filling the art scene with a buzz. Which openings to go to, which New British Artists have rented out venues to throw lavish parties, and which up and comers will break onto the scene. All of the 40 galleries officially taking place are established giants on the Berlin art scene. It’s almost impossible to choose one over another, but we’ve given it our best.

A few highlights include Martin Eder at the always impressive Eigen + Art. Harry “Judy” Lybke is a close to royalty on the Berlin scene. He’s worked with the same artists for years, dedicated to them through thick and thin. His suburb eye for art has generally turned out to be right, and many of the artists represented by the gallery have turned out to be big international names. Martin Eder’s work, which is showing during Gallery Weekend, is a haunting mix of clichéd imagery and creepy surrealism.

More recent on the Berlin scene is Sprüth Magers, who have made a splash since their opening in 2008. The reception for the two exhibitions at the gallery will be on April 30 from 4 – 9pm, featuring a solo photography exhibition of Andreas Gursky and the ‘Rethinking Location’ group show, including the beautiful Polaroid works by Cyprian Galliard, among others. Klosterfelde is presenting works from Canadian artist Michael Snow, who started out as a jazz musician before becoming a film and sound in the 1960’s. His pieces re-work and examine the details of manipulating these two mediums. While it’s not as popular among party seekers, don’t forget to check out the fantastic galleries in Charlottenberg, particularly Haas and Fuchs.

There are far more galleries with openings than the 40 on the official Gallery Weekend roster. Indeed, almost every gallery and art space in the city will be having some sort of celebration. A few unofficial Gallery Weekend spaces to watch out for are: Duve Berlin, specializing in young contemporary artists, will feature a trio of artists - Evan Gruzis, AIDS-3D and Duncan Malashock. The small Fredrichshain project space STYX Berlin will host an exhibition of Daniel Turner. Whispers are abound that Michael Rede, gallery director at STYX, is the up and coming curator in the city. If you’re interested in seeing the “real” Berlin head over to Neu Köln and check out the Forgotten Bar Project. If all else fails, Berghain is sure to packed. While the galleries and parties are spread throughout the city, Mitte is the centre of it all, and the best place to stay to reach any of the events. If it’s the arts that bring you to the city, Lux 11 is the place to be. You can pick up some Berlin duds under their roof at the Ulf Haines boutique, meet with artists and curators at the Luchs bar, or have a lie-in in one of their serene apartments. The real trick to Berlin Gallery Weekend is choosing and researching which areas you want to spend your days and evenings in. There are a few fantastic guides to navigate your way. The official website, including a comprehensive downloadable map, can be found at www.gallery-weekend-berlin.de. Kunst Magazine Berlin has a list of openings throughout the weekend and is hosting their own 4th anniversary party at Tape Club on the 30th, www.kunstmagazinberlin.de. If you’re an iPhone junkie, a new app has been released just in time for the weekend, listing all the events, including a “Locate Me” function so you can see what’s happening right where you are, www.eyeout.com. The official opening times of the galleries participating in Gallery Weekend are Friday 30th of April 4 - 8, Saturday and Sunday 10 - 7.

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Image Credits (in order of appearance):

Martin Eder “Strich”, 2010, Courtesy of Eigen + Art

Ian Davenport “Puddle Painting”, 2010, Courtesy of Haas and Fuchs

Evan Gruzis “Shadow Variation”, 2009, Courtesy of Duve Berlin

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Categories: Berlin, Art

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter

Sizzling Hot in Singapore

Heading Far East this year? - hub into efficient Singapore and try out our newest place as the perfect start.

A great little taster of a place that is perfect to dip those cramped toes into Asia - get immersed, whilst awakening the soul – it’s hot baby.

The New Majestic Hotel is not, in fact new, but a well-established swish bolthole for those in the know, tucked away in Chinatown. It is perky, fun and opulent- infused by local artists, frequented by locals who add a distinctive vibe. It has always been my favourite place since opening.

Want more – click here, book direct and don’t just tell anyone – keep it to your friends.

Hugs Iain & Crew

MODEPALAST Vienna - Going Green

From Austria to Vienna, this is the weekend to redefine your style. MODEPALAST, Vienna’s cutting edge fashion, jewellery and accessories fair, will take place from April 23 to 25 at MAK - the Austrian Museum of Applied Arts. The collection will present over 200 Austrian designers along side a selection of international newcomers, selected by a jury of media representatives and fashion experts. Ladies and Men’s collections and accessories will be for sale under one roof.

The beauty of the event is that it will allow fashion enthusiasts to personally get to know the designers and their collections. With an exciting line up of events, MODEPALAST isn’t just taking place under one roof; it’s all over town. Side events include late night shopping, parties, and presentations. The focus of the 8th MODEPALAST is “Green” with lectures on the 23rd and 24th covering Green Fashion and the experience of being a shopper, with useful information for both designers and buyers. The goal of the green focus is to show that just because a label is green doesn’t mean it has to fit into the traditional “Eco-look” stereotype that often comes with the word. In this arena labels like RoyalBLUSH, Steinwidder and German Daniel Kroh will be presented as proof of the changing meaning of green fashion. The event also focuses on facilitating networking between designers and people working in the fashion industry. Stands have been specially designed for the event by Vienna’s own Walking Chair design studio, adding an extra edge to Vienna’s biggest and most successful temporary boutique. Hollmann Beletage is located just around the corner from MAK, giving you plenty of time to relax, rejuvenate or grab a bite to eat at Hollmann Salon in the heart of Vienna’s old town where the focus is on regional, seasonal, and organic.

For a full list of events and designers check out the MODEPALAST website at www.modepalast.com.

Images (in order of appearance):

Check shirt with stag buttons and a (hand-printed) stag, jersey trousers with wide crotch Photo: jasminschuller.com / gernoteder.com

Salon Beletage at the Hollmann Beletage

Pullover and shorts by MESHIT Photo: Stefan Diesner Mini Dress by konsanszky Photo: Balazs MÈhÈsz, Vince Barti

Dress designed by goyagoya Photo: Daniel Woeller

Dandy Box by TATA CHRISTIANE COUTURE (combi jersey, stripes black and white/red and white with short jacket in hessian, shoulder straps, pearls and organza and a belt embroidered with red pearls, organza) photo: MATTEO CATTARUZZI artwork: MIRIAM GLINKA

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Categories: Vienna, Events, Fashion Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter

Blickfang Basel

Blickfang Basel opens next Thursday, April 23rd, so there’s still time to plan your trip if you’re quick. Blickfang Basel will bring together 120 up and coming designers from the triangle of Switzerland, Germany and France presenting international furniture, fashion and jewellery designers under the roof of Basel’s E Halle. Although Blickfang has been taking place in Zurich for 13 years, the show in Basel will offer, for the first time, the chance to meet with designers directly to purchase showpieces. The goal is to function as a temporary cutting edge fashion mall.

A special exhibition will feature the work of collective REH4. REH4 is a group located in Basel with the goal of advancing their district, which stands for progressive, independent and subversive spaces, such as galleries, progressive spaces, and shop owners. It will come as no surprise that White Line member hotel Krafft Basel is located right in the middle of this creative district. Be sure to get directions to the REH4 Black Market, which will showcase the new work of design creatives in a “market of uniques.”

With a fantastic line up of side events the fair is surely a weekend long event. The opening party is on the 23rd, but the real fun is on the night of Saturday the 24th. The evening starts out with Pecha Kucha, which is often as hilarious as it is informative. Dim Out: A Room of Deceleration is the next event before the Absolut Blickfang Bar from dusk ‘til dawn.

In celebration of the event Krafft is offering a complimentary entrance ticket for the fair with a stay. Why not make a long weekend of it - come on Saturday, enjoy the fair, pick up a few designs, brunch and a city tour on Sunday, and take the long way home on Monday?

For Blickfang details visit the website at: www.blickfang.com. For more information about REH4, and a map of the shops and studios involved in the project, visit http://reh4.ch.

Images courtesy of the Blickfang website.

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Categories: Basel, Design, Events, Fashion

Contributing writer: Alicia Reuter

Greulich Hotel Cultural Lecture Series

Just a reminder that Hotel Greulich’s Lecture Series will present a lecture from Swiss theatre director and manager Barbara Frey on Wednesday April 21st. Frey studied German and Philosophy in Zurich. During her studies she was the songwriter and drummer in a rock band. In the late 80’s she joined Theatre Basel as a musician, later becoming the director’s assistant and an actress. Since then she has directed theatre pieces in some of Switzerland and Germany’s top theatres as well as teaching at Berlin’s Hochschule der Künste. Having worked as a teacher, director, actress, and writer, Frey can offer a variety of perspectives into theatre and music, from the avante garde to the traditional.

Le Pavillon des Arts et du Design (PAD)

The 14th Le Pavillon des Arts et du Design is being held in the Jardin des Tulieries from the 24th to the 28th of March.  The focus here varies from Art Paris and is on historical, modern and contemporary design as well as decorative and modern arts as apposed to, say, the latest talent from Finland.  Simply put: PAD exhibits world-renowned dealers.

More over at WhiteLineHotels.com

Nina Persson+Hope = Stockholm

This is that time of year where every fashionista is throwing their hands in the air, bemoaning their lack of stylish clothes.  Winter clothes are played out, but there’s no sense in picking up something warm and new when you can practically smell spring.  No worries, there is HOPE.

Get the full story at WhiteLineHotels.com

Last minute Easter break?

Easter is just around the corner, so if you haven’t followed our suggestions yet, perhaps these offers from the Krafft Hotel in Basel, or the Hollmann Beletage in Vienna might give you ideas for a last minute trip. Easter weekend 2 to 5 April.

Over here for the offers.

Vienna EOOS

One day, over 20 years ago, three men met while applying for admission to the University of the Applied Arts in Vienna.  Out of this chance meeting blossomed Vienna’s EOOS design firm.  EOOS, which derived its name from one of the four winged horses of Aurora, has a steadfast reputation for never doing a project they’re not interested in.  While this caused some lean times for the three founders in the beginning, it also garnered Gernot Bohmann, Harald Gründl, and Martin Bergmann a respected reputation, which after years of struggle not only paid off, but also allowed them to develop their signature approach – Poetical Analysis.

There’s more over at WhiteLineHotels.com

Made in Hamburg – Hamburg Kreative: The Directory

Hamburg Kreative is here.  The new 396-page book, produced by NBVD Publishers, presents the crème de la crème of Hamburg’s creative media scene.   Advertisers, designers, illustrators, photographers, new media artists, and freelancers are all presented in the newly formatted book.

Get the full story over at WhiteLineHotels.com