background | KSb

Berlin, den 2. März, 2022

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.

edward buchanan from milano wrote on February 27, 2022 at 11:27 pm

I met Semjon in NYC in the 90s when we were both struggling New York artists. We were young, focused, and undeniably determined to create in spaces where our voices and art would be seen and heard. I know first hand the years of hard work that Semjon has put into his practice not to benefit himself, but to promote, encourage, and bring light to creatives that might have not been seen otherwise. Semjon contemporary is an extension of a life of tireless work… Hard work that has never equalled huge financial return. Semjon’s honesty and intelligence has build an organization of community and a portfolio of multicultural and multifaceted artist that must continue to be seen in the space that he has curated for them. The worst thing imaginable for me would be that this beautiful organization “ SEMJON CONTEMPORARY” would be taken from him from an insensitive organization that pretends to support art and artists. I am horrified and fear that the future for independent galleries such as Semjon’s are in enormous danger, but at the same time I am hopeful and support his resistance for the sake of art, artistry, and independence in his beloved Berlin. This establishment must be supported to remain open. Edward Buchanan

I met Semjon in NYC in the 90s when we were both struggling New York artists. We were young, focused, and undeniably determined to create in spaces where our voices and art would be seen and heard. I know first hand the years of hard work that Semjon has put into his practice not to benefit himself, but to promote, encourage, and bring light to creatives that might have not been seen otherwise. Semjon contemporary is an extension of a life of tireless work… Hard work that has never equalled huge financial return. Semjon’s honesty and intelligence has build an organization of community and a portfolio of multicultural and multifaceted artist that must continue to be seen in the space that he has curated for them. The worst thing imaginable for me would be that this beautiful organization “ SEMJON CONTEMPORARY” would be taken from him from an insensitive organization that pretends to support art and artists. I am horrified and fear that the future for independent galleries such as Semjon’s are in enormous danger, but at the same time I am hopeful and support his resistance for the sake of art, artistry, and independence in his beloved Berlin. This establishment must be supported to remain open. Edward Buchanan... Collapse

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