When the Berlin Wall came down in 1989, West and East Berliners came together to create a thriving techno scene that is still very much alive today. Capturing the history of the scene from 1989 to present day, No Photos On The Dancefloor is a unique and multifaceted exhibition featuring photographers and video artists that have experienced the techno scene in Berlin first hand. Each has created an exciting body of work, based on how they became immersed in the techno scene of Berlin. Co-curator of the exhibition, Heiko Hoffmann, answered our questions on the featured artists, his experience of the scene and looks back on the day the wall came down.
How did you go about selecting the artists you wanted to be featured in the exhibition?
This exhibition came about because a couple of years ago I did a smaller exhibition starting from a museum in Brazil and it travelled around South America and South East Asia. And this was just a couple of artists and the first artist Martin Eberle, a Berlin-based photographer, did a lot of architectural photos of the Berlin nightclubs in the 1990s and made a book about this called Temporary Spaces which came out in 2001 and then also by Sven Marquardt who was a bouncer at Berghain but has also been a photographer. He did a body of work taking photos of his colleagues at Berghain and then a couple of other people.
So, for this exhibition, No Photos On The Dancefloor, I selected 26 different photographers and video artists. It's not a history museum and it's not for documentary, it's an art museum. A key artist for example, Wolfgang Tillmans, who photographed the scene and the reason why I wanted to call it No Photos On The Dancefloor is because I was looking for something that made the Berlin nightlife scene different to club scenes in other parts of the world. All the photographers and all the artists included in this exhibition have something in common and that is that they are really part of the scene and have been part of the scene.
Read this next: A new book about Berlin's 90s techno scene
How were the images in the exhibition taken considering Berlin's strict no-photos policy?
This no-photo policy is really something that existed since the start of the 90s in Berlin, both to give a safe space to minorities or people who want to express themselves but also people who go to the clubs to lose themselves in the moment and lose themselves in the music without having that captured outside. So in that sense Berlin club culture is very different to club culture in Ibiza or in Miami.
Despite this title of No Photos On The Dancefloor, its a photography and video art exhibition, So it's not a view from the outside, it's not something voyeuristic. These photographers could make photos because they were part of this community and because they have had the allowance by the people who are throwing the parties or were running these clubs to take these photos and they also respect the values of this club culture.
See the original post:
- if democracy and freedom got in the way of making money in the USA would they be eradicated? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 1984 by George Orwell? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Propaganda in 1984 by George Orwell? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- If America supports freedom and democracy, why have we done the following? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Another fine example of Bush supporting freedom and democracy? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Do you think that people have the right to the freedom of thought without influence anymore? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Forrest Gump - Need a thesis relating to freedom and democracy? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 1984 by George Orwell’s statement? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- How do you spread freedom and democracy without being in contradiction with the terms? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- What’s the difference between democracy and freedom? [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 3. The American Solution [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 4. Relating to Images [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 5. Representing Images [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 6. Exploring Images [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 7. Understanding Images [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 8. Acting Upon Images [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 9. The Paradigm Shift to Generativity [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 1. Totalitarianism and Variability [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 2. Freedom and Changeability [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- 3. The Freedom Culture [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- New Web Special: China and 60 Years of Communist Party Rule [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Cuban Regime Intensifies Opposition Crackdown with Sham Trial [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Postponing Dalai Lama Meeting Sends Wrong Message [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Freedom House Sends High-Level Delegation to Egypt [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Detained Syrian Opposition Figure Must Be Immediately Released [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Activist's Upheld Conviction a Troubling Sign for Justice in Kazakhstan [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Tunisia's Electoral Process Severely Damaged by Pre-Election Rights Violations [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Lifting of EU Arms Embargo on Uzbekistan Sends Wrong Message on Human Rights [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Pakistan Assembly Urged to Reject Restrictive Amendments to Press Law [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Freedom House Launches Web Feature on Fall of Berlin Wall [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2009] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2009]
- Resolutions on Defamation of Religions Do Not Belong at United Nations, Organizations Say [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Bloggers' Jailing Threatens New Media's Emergence in Azerbaijan [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Support Chinese Human Rights Activists, Freedom House Tells Obama on Eve of Visit [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- UN Should Pass Resolution Condemning Iran Human Rights Abuses [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Congress Urged to Lift Ban on U.S. Travel to Cuba [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Filipino Massacre Reflects Climate of Impunity [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Switzerland Vote Disappointing Blow to Religious Freedom [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Freedom House Launches Campaign to Defend Freedom of Expression [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Poll Shows Zimbabweans Want Elections and Democratic Constitution [Last Updated On: December 13th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2009]
- Clinton Speech Signals Greater Emphasis on Human Rights in U.S. Policy [Last Updated On: December 16th, 2009] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2009]
- The Prosperity Problem [Last Updated On: January 5th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2010]
- Freedom in the World 2010: Global Erosion of Freedom [Last Updated On: January 12th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 12th, 2010]
- Freedom House Congratulates Memorial on Human Rights Award [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2010]
- Recent Blogger Arrests a Troubling Trend in the Middle East/North Africa Region [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2010]
- Freedom House Calls Upon the Government of Uzbekistan to Release its Jailed Activists [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2010]
- Citing Iran Crackdown, Freedom House Launches Net Freedom Initiative [Last Updated On: January 13th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 13th, 2010]
- Google Response to Chinese Cyber-Attacks Appropriate [Last Updated On: January 14th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2010]
- Ombudsman Statements Reflect Culture of Intimidation in Chechnya [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2010]
- Bloggers Stifled Again in Egypt [Last Updated On: January 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2010]
- Google Applauded for Stance on China Internet Censorship [Last Updated On: January 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2010]
- Latest Convictions Reflect Crackdown on Freedom of Expression and Association in Vietnam [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 21st, 2010]
- Integrity of Elections in Sri Lanka Endangered, Says Freedom House [Last Updated On: January 22nd, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2010]
- Freedom House Welcomes Clinton Speech on Internet Freedom [Last Updated On: January 23rd, 2010] [Originally Added On: January 23rd, 2010]
- Group wants same military benefits for gay spouses - Washington Times [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Va. health bill could foil Obama proposal - Boston Globe [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- THE VA FIRST INTERNAL EVIDENCE OF CHANGE FOR GULF WAR VETERANS OF 1990-91 DOES ... - Veterans Today Network [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Freedom Driver System Receives Medical Device CE Mark - Today's Medical Developments [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- NxStage Announces New FREEDOM Data Showing the Positive Impact of its Daily ... - CNNMoney.com (press release) [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Phil Lewis: Coach fumbles lesson on freedom of the press - Naples Daily News [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Report: Prescription drug prices vary drastically in NY - Poughkeepsie Journal [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Bill Bell: Surgeon models success on international scale - Whittier Daily News [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Justin Trottier: Time to call time on homeopathy - National Post (blog) [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Voice of the Day Initiative would aid rights of patients - News-Leader.com [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2010]
- Free Speech under Attack in Morocco [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2010]
- Freedom House, Russian Rights Groups Announce New Partnership [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2010]
- Egyptian Government Must Live Up To Its Human Rights Commitments in Geneva [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2010]
- Global Human Rights Advocates Meet With President Obama on U.S. Human Rights Agenda [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2010]
- Death of Political Prisoner in Cuba Exposes Systemic Prison Maltreatment and Torture [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2010]
- New Study Finds Gains for Women's Rights in the Middle East [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2010]
- Egyptian Government Continues to Use Emergency Law to Crack Down on Freedom of Speech [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2010]
- Human Rights Advocates Issue Plan of Action as Human Rights Council Meets in Geneva [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2010]
- Sri Lankan Government Heightens Intimidation Campaign Against Voices of Dissent [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2010]
- Nigerian and Indonesian Activists Challenge Repressive Measures in "Defamation of Religions" Debate [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2010]
- Healing Healthcare: Restore Medical Freedom - Gather.com [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2010]
- Putting the "I" back in medicine - McGill Daily [Last Updated On: March 15th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 15th, 2010]
- Freedom House Calls on Kyrgyz Government to Loosen Controls on Media [Last Updated On: March 16th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 16th, 2010]
- Talking Points - FOXNews [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2010]
- The Battle Over Health Care At America's Medical Schools - FOXNews [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2010]
- News Article Ceremony Honors Fallen Medical Servicemembers - Department of Defense [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2010]
- Vietnam Temporarily Frees Prominent Catholic Priest - Christian Post [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2010] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2010]