KW Freunde

Die KW Freunde e.V. wurden 1996 gegründet mit dem Ziel, das kulturelle Programm der KW Institute for Contemporary Art zu unterstützen.

Die Freunde fördern jährlich eine Ausstellung sowie eine Reihe weiterer Initiativen der KW. The KW Friends subsidize an annual on-site exhibition and also other initiatives at KW throughout the year.

04/08/2026

As part of the Kyiv Biennial at KW, Neda Saeedi is currently presenting a sculptural installation made of glass and steel. Last week, the artist welcomed us into her studio, where we spoke in depth about the work created for the exhibition and its connection to the Soviet Memorial in Treptower Park. We also gained insight into her latest public artwork—a stained-glass installation at the St Nikolai Church in Hamburg—as well as her next major project for the upcoming Sharjah Biennial.

To conclude our visit, Neda transformed her studio into a dreamlike atmosphere through her distinctive use of overhead projectors, a performance practice she presented at documenta fifteen, among others. 🔮✨

Thank you, dear Neda, for hosting us and for sharing your unique approaches to materials, aesthetics, and the many-sided political dimensions of your work.

The Kyiv Biennial – A Bird That Cannot Land is on view until 13 September 2026. 🦅

Neda Saeedi Kyiv Biennial KW Institute for Contemporary Art .a Sofie Krogh Christensen

29/07/2026

Free entrance with the KW and Berlin Biennale Friends card ✨

With your membership at KW Friends e. V., you not only support the Berlin Biennale and
through your annual donation. You also receive free admission to all exhibitions and selected events.

Many more benefits are waiting for you with your personalized card. Find out more at
www.kw-freunde.de/en/
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Freier Eintritt mit der KW und Berlin Biennale Friends Mitgliedskarte ✨

Mit deiner Mitgliedschaft bei den KW Friends e. V. unterstützt du nicht nur die Berlin Biennale und
durch deine jährliche Spende, sondern erhältst auch freien Eintritt in alle Ausstellungen und zu ausgewählten Events.

Mit der personalisierten Karte erwarten dich viele weitere Vorteile. Erfahre mehr unter
www.kw-freunde.de
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15/07/2026

Earlier this year, Helena Uambembe hosted us for an intimate studio visit. Together with Axel Wieder, Director of the Berlin Biennale, we spoke about her work at the 13th Berlin Biennale, and other recent projects, including her contributions for the biennials in São Paulo, Göteborg, and Freiburg (2025).

Helena Uambembe (*1994, Pomfret, South Africa) works across textiles, printmaking, photography, performance, and text. Her practice often engages with the history of the 32 Battalion, the Angolan Civil War, and its impact on personal and collective identities. Solo exhibitions took place at MMK Frankfurt (2023) and Galerie Anton Janizewski (2024), among others.

Thank you, dear Helena, for sharing your reflections on your practice, the stories behind your works, and the delicious cake! 🍰❤️

Axel Wieder

25/06/2026

Following her widely discussed solo exhibition at KW two years ago, Sung Tieu currently represents Germany at the 61th Biennale di Venezia, together with Henrike Naumann (1984–2026).

During the opening and preview days in May, we joined an exclusive guided tour with sungtieu, and Kathleen Reinhardt, the curator of the German Pavilion. Congrats again to this outstanding exhibition!

Under the title RUIN, the duo exhibition is still running until 22 November 2026.

sungtieu Kathleen Reinhardt Deutscher Pavillon La Biennale di Venezia

23/06/2026

Last month, we had the chance to meet Haegue Yang for an apéro at her long-term Berlin gallery Barbara Wien. 🥂🫒🍓

Since 2025, the installation artist (*1971, Seoul) serves as board chair of KUNST-WERKE BERLIN e.V., the umbrella organization of both institutions KW and Berlin Biennale—which we gladly support as the Friends association.

Gallerist Barbara Wien not only introduced us into Haegue Yang’s work (on display in the viewing room) but also gave us a tour through the current exhibition: a solo presentation by Ingrid Wiener (*1942, Vienna). The show brings together a selection of recent tapestries, intimate ‚dream drawings,‘ videos, records, and books, as well as a complementary film by Oswald Wiener from 2015. On view until 1 August 2026.

Many thanks to Haegue for spending the evening with us, to Barbara Wien and her team for hosting us so caringly, and to our Friends for joining this special event.

StudioHaegueYang Haegue Yang Barbara Wien

22/06/2026

The Foundation Archive of Social Art Funding of Berlin (Archiv der Sozialen Künstlerförderung) is currently developing an extraordinary collection under the umbrella of Stadtmuseum Berlin, comprising around 15.000 artworks by 2.000 artists. Emerging from a funding program run by the Berlin Senate for over five decades (1951–2003), the collection located in Mariendorf is of great importance for Berlin’s history, cultural politics, sociology, art history, and contemporary art.

We have been one of the first clubs to be given an exclusive preview before the archive will open to the public. Project manager Julia Rust von Krosigk, and research associate and former KW team member Jenny Dirksen guided us through the impressive depot – thank you for hosting us!

The Archive will host its first public open house event this Saturday, 27 June 2026, noon–6 pm. For more information visit www.stadtmuseum.de/veranstaltungen/open-house

Stadtmuseum Berlin KW Institute for Contemporary Art

20/06/2026

This summer, the nomadic Kyiv Biennial takes place for the first time at KW. Under the title A Bird That Cannot Land, the exhibition brings together more than 40 artists and participants, and spans the entire building, accompanied by an extensive live program and discursive program.

On the occasion of the opening on 10 June 2026, we invited to an exclusive Preview with speeches by Katarzyna Wielga-Skolimowska (German Federal Cultural Foundation), Emma Enderby (Director KW), Sofie Krogh Christensen (Curator KW), and Vasyl Cherepanyn (Visual Culture Research Center).

Congrats to the artists, thinkers, and the team behind this impressive exhibition. Thanks to our Friends, special guests, and sponsors for contributing to a beautiful evening.

The exhibition runs from 11 June–13 September 2026. Come by!

Images: Preview Kyiv Biennial 2026, KW Institute for Contemporary Art. Photos: David von Becker

28/04/2026

Spring has sprung and it’s the week of Gallery Weekend Berlin 2026 🌱☀️

We’re excited to count so many Berlin galleries among our members. Check out their programs, visit their new exhibitions, buy art, support our Friends!

.digital.art .galleries

➡️ It’s also the last two weeks to see the exhibitions by Klara Liden, Jean Katambayi Mukendi, and Else Marie Pade at KW, with extended opening hours on 1 May until 9 pm. Come by! 🌷

21/04/2026

Did you know that KW Friends has existed for 30 years? 🐋

Founded in 1996, the non-profit association has been a constant supporter of KW and the Berlin Biennale. The voluntary engagement and commitment by all members plays a big part in what keeps both institutions thriving.

Are you interested in discovering more about the Friends community around these two institutions? Join us now by registering online 🔗 link in bio!
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Wusstest du, dass es die KW Friends schon seit 30 Jahren gibt? 🐳

Der 1996 gegründete gemeinnützige Verein ist seit jeher ein treuer Förderer der KW und der Berlin Biennale. Das ehrenamtliche Engagement aller Mitglieder trägt maßgeblich zur lebendigen Weiterentwicklung beider Institutionen bei.

Werde jetzt Mitglied bei den Friends, indem du dich online anmeldest 🔗 Link in Bio!

Image 1: Opening at KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin, 2024. Photo: David von Becker.
Image 2: KW Friends New Years Dinner at KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin, 2024. Photo: Seamus Platt.
Image 3: Free Thursday at KW Institute for Contemporary Art, Berlin, 2026. Photo: Frank Sperling.
Image 4: Jane Jin Kaisen, Halmang, 2023; Portal, 2024; installation view, 13th Berlin Biennale for Contemporary Art © Jane Jin Kaisen/VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn 2025. Photo: Philipp Gladsome

25/03/2026

Together with Director Emma Enderby, we had the pleasure of experiencing the current KW exhibitions through her curatorial lens, beginning with Klara Lidén. Known for her distinctive engagement with urban space, Lidén’s work invites us to reconsider the boundaries between public and private, social order and disruption.

This was followed by an insightful introduction to the practice of Jean Katambayi Mukendi, whose intricate, speculative constructions draw on themes of technology, infrastructure, and energy—offering perspectives rooted in both imagination and everyday realities. His exhibition is supported by KW Friends e.V.

Finally, we had the opportunity to attend an experimental concert by cellist Khabat Abas, presented as part of the exhibition dedicated to Danish sound artist Else Marie Pade (1924–2016).

Many thanks to everyone who joined us, and to Emma for the wonderful tour! 💫

The exhibitions are on view until 10 May 2026.

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http://kw-freunde.de/

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