Sounds of Bethany: Celebrating 50 Years of Künstlerhaus Bethanien

In celebration of its 50-year anniversary, Künstlerhaus Bethanien is presenting “Sounds of Bethany,” an exhibition dedicated to the rich history and future of sound art. Running from July 19 to August 18, 2024, the exhibition will open on July 18 at 7 PM.

Künstlerhaus Bethanien has long been a hub of experimentation and innovation, particularly for artists working with sound. Its vibrant program has included public exhibitions, concerts, performances, and discussion-based events, fostering collaborations between resident artists and local talents. This unique blend of experimental and genre-crossing projects has cemented its reputation as one of Berlin’s most extraordinary art spaces.

“Sounds of Bethany” aims to make tangible the dual layers of sonic temporality. It will feature historic sound sculptures and objects created by past exhibitors and resident artists, alongside newly developed sound installations specifically for this anniversary. This exhibition not only reflects on the past but also envisions the future of sound art.

The exhibition will include historic works by renowned sound artists such as Wojciech Bruszewski, Terry Fox, Rolf Julius, Joe Jones, Christina Kubisch, Rolf Langebartels, Benoît Maubrey, Paul Panhuysen, Martin Riches, and Qin Yufen. Contemporary sound installations will be presented by artists including Frieder Butzmann & Thomas Kiesel, Evelina Deicmane, Raviv Ganchrow, Via Lewandowsky, Robert Lippok, Claudia Märzendorfer, Nika Schmitt, Ivan Svitlychnyi, and Maia Urstad.

In addition, historical image and sound contributions from the Künstlerhaus archive and artists like Ulrich Eller, Nils Krüger, Johan Lorbeer, and Gordon Monahan will be displayed. These diverse works will offer various conceptual and influential approaches, highlighting object-specific, spatial, and intermedial strategies.

Curated by Carsten Seiffarth, with artistic direction by Christoph Tannert, “Sounds of Bethany” not only serves as a retrospective of Künstlerhaus Bethanien’s contributions to sound art but also provides a forward-looking overview of the practice. The exhibition is kindly supported by Lotto-Stiftung Berlin and the Berlin Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion – Department of Culture.