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.
Peggy Reimer
from München/Venezia wrote on February 27, 2022 at 4:43 pm
A city like Berlin derives its attractiveness and merit decisively from its cultural diversity and cultural workers. The basis that is created for artists through studio space and a diverse range of galleries is not only important for them directly, but is the foundation and the resulting chain reaction that makes Berlin attractive and interesting for long-term investments in all areas. And this can only be in the interest of all of you to maintain this and to promote it more strongly again. Depriving the Semjon Contemporary gallery of its business basis through the termination the lease is therefore not beneficial for all three parties (real estate investor, city of Berlin and gallery operator): a gallery like Semjon Contemporary, which has built up a profound background over many years, is a direct added value for the real estate in the immediate vicinity and for the citizens of Berlin. I have been lucky enough to follow the path of artist and gallery Semjon HN Semjon from NYC to Berlin for over 30 years. On each of my Berlin visits, it is indispensable to visit this gallery, as I find there something which have been becoming rarely to be found in the art world: the direct contact between artist, gallery owner, art connaisseur, collector and immediate environment. The resulting projects out of these encounters, driven by inexhaustible passion (and minimal funding) can be seen not only in this „KIEZ“ of Berlin but also, for example, currently Gil Shachar's „Cast Whale Project“ at the Pinakothek der Moderne in München. The national and international recognition of the many projects by Semjon HN Semjon and his gallery artists reflects back on the city of Berlin, the creativity, diversity and joie de vivre which are necessary ingredients for culture. Why erase this valuable asset? It 'll... Read more
A city like Berlin derives its attractiveness and merit decisively from its cultural diversity and cultural workers. The basis that is created for artists through studio space and a diverse range of galleries is not only important for them directly, but is the foundation and the resulting chain reaction that makes Berlin attractive and interesting for long-term investments in all areas. And this can only be in the interest of all of you to maintain this and to promote it more strongly again.
Depriving the Semjon Contemporary gallery of its business basis through the termination the lease is therefore not beneficial for all three parties (real estate investor, city of Berlin and gallery operator): a gallery like Semjon Contemporary, which has built up a profound background over many years, is a direct added value for the real estate in the immediate vicinity and for the citizens of Berlin.
I have been lucky enough to follow the path of artist and gallery Semjon HN Semjon from NYC to Berlin for over 30 years. On each of my Berlin visits, it is indispensable to visit this gallery, as I find there something which have been becoming rarely to be found in the art world: the direct contact between artist, gallery owner, art connaisseur, collector and immediate environment. The resulting projects out of these encounters, driven by inexhaustible passion (and minimal funding) can be seen not only in this „KIEZ“ of Berlin but also, for example, currently Gil Shachar's „Cast Whale Project“ at the Pinakothek der Moderne in München. The national and international recognition of the many projects by Semjon HN Semjon and his gallery artists reflects back on the city of Berlin, the creativity, diversity and joie de vivre which are necessary ingredients for culture.
Why erase this valuable asset? It 'll bring only disadvantages in the short & long term.
I have enough experience with a city that lost these ingredients at its ground and became a shell. Obviously in Venezia are a lot of museums and the Biennale but it’s not anymore able to produce culture, it is just imported & there to be consumed.
I sincerely hope and have the confidence that the gallery Semjon Contemporary will be continuing their exceptional work at Schröderstrasse in Berlin-Mitte and we all will have the chance to celebrate together KioskShop and the next gallery exhibition.
The city desperately needs places like this.
Best regards, Peggy Reimer... Collapse