Pia Arke
Focus Tour:
The blind spot: Mapping the self

In her artistic work, Greenlandic-Danish artist Pia Arke explores how personal and cultural geographies shape our understanding of ourselves and our environment. Arke delves into the interactions between her dual identities, creating a concept she refers to as a ‚third place‘, a space that exists beyond the tension of these identities. This third place is both a realm of thought and a site of artistic production, one that goes against conventional readings but can be accessed through a cartographic approach to her work. In relation to her work, the participants will be introduced to further concepts of postcolonial theory that relate to the third place (H. K. Bhabha, E.Said).

Her work often involves documenting and transforming everyday objects, as well as her own body, translating them into the format of maps. In this workshop, we will explore and apply the concept of ‚mapping‘ the self, along with the idea of object agency, to deepen our understanding of personal and cultural identity. As a result of the workshop, participants will engage in an artistic process to create a map, itinerary or artwork that reflects their individual collective history and future.

What to expect?

• In the first theoretical part of the workshop, we will visit the exhibition „Arctic Hysteria“ together to get to know the artist’s work and develop our own ideas.
• In the second practical part, artistic works will be created in which the participants will explore a personal „blind spot“ in their biography, develop an artistic work, and present a narrative about it to the group.

How Can I Prepare, What Should I Bring?

• Bring a personal item or several objects that are connected to your personal or collective history. The items (such as images, photographs, jewelry, clothing, etc.) will be incorporated into an artistic work that will be discussed at the end of the workshop.
• All other materials for artistic work will be provided at the KW. If you have any special requests, please bring the necessary materials yourself

Mihaela Chiriac (she/her)
Curator, co-founder of the project space STATIONS in Berlin-Kreuzberg.

Oliver Wellmann (he/him)
Artist