Studio Visits

The Studio Visits began at Sammlung Philara, a private contemporary art museum founded by Gil Bronner in a former industrial space in Flingern. Spanning 1,700 square meters, it hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions. Julika Bosch and Hannah Niemeier led a tour of a current glass exhibition, exploring the material’s contrasts — structure versus chaos — and highlighting themes of interdisciplinarity and international collaboration. The second stop was Ateliers Höherweg (a271) in Lierenfeld. Established in 1994 in a former steel industry building, this self-managed artist collective provides 14 light-filled studios and a guest apartment for international residents. BR artists Tamar Oosterhof and Taha Afefe were in residence during our visit. Tamar shared her recent paintings, discussing how her upbringing in Israel informed her work on borders and indoctrinated fear. We then visited Weltkunstzimmer, an interdisciplinary center run by the Hans Peter Zimmer Foundation in an old bakery. With 10,000 square meters for exhibitions and performances, it serves as a hub for artistic experimentation. BR residents Narek Arushanyan and Shilpa Nayudu presented their projects; Narek showcased a collaborative exhibition titled „The Tongue of Birds,“ while Shilpa discussed her work blending visual arts and social discourse. After dinner, Margit Lukács and Persijn Broersen shared their research on the Rhine, including an innovative AI-Rhine Myth generator developed during their residency at Odapark.

The final day took us to Museum Het Nieuwe Domein in Sittard to meet BR artist Helena. Her project, „The Great Misunderstanding,“ explores interpersonal communication. We also met curator Alice Smith from Zone2Source, who discussed interspecies coexistence. Near the train station, Helena presented her work on pigeon-human landscapes. Curators Marjolein van der Loo and Mijke Harst concluded the visit with a preview of the museum’s upcoming collection, showcasing how the Borderland Network’s diverse locations profoundly influence artistic practice.