Semjon H. N. Semjon und die Künstler:innen und Freund:innen der Galerie danken Herrn Samuel Czarny, CEO der Nicolas Berggruen Holdings, für den neuen Mietvertrag, der am 31.3.2027 enden wird!
Wir danken hier auf dieser Seite den vielen Persönlichkeiten, die hier öffentlich ihre Gedanken zu der Kündigung mitgeteilt haben!
Wir freuen uns, dass durch die Zusammenarbeit mit der Kanzlei RAUE und dem Engagement so vieler Einzelner, auch durch den Offenen Brief der vier Bundestagsabgeordneten Frau Canzel Kiziltepe, Frau Annika Klose, Herr Kevin Kühnert und Herr Michael Müller (unser Ex-Regierender Bürgermeister) und auch durch den Brief von Herrn Senator Klaus Lederer an die Nicolas Berggruen Holdings sicherlich dazu beigetragen wurde, dass es zu einer Rücknahme der Kündigung kam.
Der Schulterschluss so vieler Persönlichkeiten, aber auch die Begleitung aus der Medienwelt (Monopol, Art Newsletter, Tagesspiegel, Berliner Zeitung, rbb kulturradio, Tip, u.a.) war in dieser Angelegenheit sehr wichtig. Wir danken allen Beteiligten von Herzen!
Die gemeinsame Presserklärung (Nicolas Berggruen Holdings, Semjon H. N. Semjon, koordiniert und realisiert durch RAUE) kann here eingesehen werden.
Berlin, October 27, 2021
Dear Mr. Nicolas Berggruen, dear Mr. Samuel Czarny from Berggruen Holdings and from Czarny & Schiff property management, dear Governing Mayor Müller, dear Ms. Giffey, dear Senator for Culture and Europe, Mr. Lederer, dear ladies and gentlemen from politic and from the media,
We, the signer of this petition, ask you, Mr. Berggruen and Mr. Czarny, to reverse the termination of the lease of the commercial space after 21 years by the owner Semjon H. N. Semjon, gallery owner of Semjon Contemporary and artist from "KioskShop berlin (KSb)".
In doing so, you deprive the gallery owner of the economic basis, endanger his economic survival and, moreover, create damages to the more than 20 artists with whom the gallery works more closely. At the same time, you are responsible for the destruction of the site-specific, accessible artistic installation “KioskShop berlin (KSb)”, which thousands of visitors have seen and experienced from 2000 to 2010 (and again from November 5, 2021), and which is an artistic monument of the world of business and goods, and which was only possible to realize by an artist in the aftermath of the German reunification. As an artist, Semjon was a pioneer in Schröderstrasse, and from 2000 onwards he played a key role in shaping it with his “KioskShop” and later with his gallery from 2011, so much so that you, Mr. Berggruen, got interest in the acquisition of the house.
KioskShop berlin has enriched the Berlin art scene in an innovative and qualitative manner, which was positioning itself internationally successfully. We ask you, dear politicians and citizens of Berlin, as well as journalists, to seek a dialogue with the holding company in order to bring about a relenting of the matter.
Colin Ardley
from Dresden wrote on November 23, 2021 at 4:52 pm
Dear Mr Nicolas Berggruen and Berggruen Holdings, I write this to make you aware of a situation that you may not even be on your radar as they say, since the present issue belongs to a very small part of the Berggruen Empire and as such may be regarded as a minor even troublesome detail. I am referring to the termination of the tenancy and none renewal of contract for the gallery “Semjon Contemporary”, Schröderstaße 1, Berlin-Mitte after a recent renovation of the building in which the gallery is situated. I write this also as a mark of respect for the gallerist who has been at this address for 20 years, first in the Project Space, “Kiosk Shop”, almost a cultural monument in the early establishment of art and culture in the former divided city of Berlin following the re-unification of Germany. Later he established Semjon Contemporary, fused the two spaces and became a cornerstone for artists, public and collectors looking for artists, quality art output and aspirations outside the mainstream gallery scene. He has made countless memorable, even boundary breaking shows. His program has little competition when it comes to diversity, creatively curated shows and ambitious and sensitive presentations. This has only been possible due to his apparently endless energy, often married to self-exploitation, conviction and belief in his artists, with whom he works very closely and of course his belief in the power of art. I have known Semjon H.N. Semjon for 30 years as an artist, colleague, gallerist and friend. He has tenacity, vision and staying power. He was and remains a godsend for the life of the gallery scene in Mitte and in Berlin generally. If you are not aware of the gallery I can only encourage you to inform yourself fully regarding its history, program,... Read more
Dear Mr Nicolas Berggruen and Berggruen Holdings,
I write this to make you aware of a situation that you may not even be on your radar as they say, since the present issue belongs to a very small part of the Berggruen Empire and as such may be regarded as a minor even troublesome detail.
I am referring to the termination of the tenancy and none renewal of contract for the gallery “Semjon Contemporary”, Schröderstaße 1, Berlin-Mitte after a recent renovation of the building in which the gallery is situated.
I write this also as a mark of respect for the gallerist who has been at this address for 20 years, first in the Project Space, “Kiosk Shop”, almost a cultural monument in the early establishment of art and culture in the former divided city of Berlin following the re-unification of Germany. Later he established Semjon Contemporary, fused the two spaces and became a cornerstone for artists, public and collectors looking for artists, quality art output and aspirations outside the mainstream gallery scene. He has made countless memorable, even boundary breaking shows. His program has little competition when it comes to diversity, creatively curated shows and ambitious and sensitive presentations. This has only been possible due to his apparently endless energy, often married to self-exploitation, conviction and belief in his artists, with whom he works very closely and of course his belief in the power of art. I have known Semjon H.N. Semjon for 30 years as an artist, colleague, gallerist and friend. He has tenacity, vision and staying power. He was and remains a godsend for the life of the gallery scene in Mitte and in Berlin generally.
If you are not aware of the gallery I can only encourage you to inform yourself fully regarding its history, program, projects and artists. Having done so you will hopefully reconsider the role of the gallery and its location as part the creative hub which is Berlin and as such reverse the termination of the gallery’s tenancy contract. This would allow Semjon H.N. Semjon to continue uninterrupted the valuable work he is doing and build further on the work which has already been laid.
The alternative is unthinkable. The closure of the gallery would be a tragic loss for the cultural life of Mitte and Berlin in general. It would also as a consequence impair and destroy the livelihood of the gallerist and his stable of artists.
I implore you to reconsider the position of Berggruen Holdings regarding this matter and come to an acceptable solution for both parties.
Yours sincerely,
Colin Ardley (Artist and Curator) Dresden, November 2021... Collapse