Berlin University of the Arts: Workshop Seminar – Kazuko Miyamoto
Connecting over Bridges

Miyamoto’s string constructions are two- and three-dimensional sculptures made of cotton threads, which are created through a laborious manual construction process involving repeatable but unique hand movements — marking, nailing, knotting, and linking hundreds of threads. In the 1970s and 1980s, Kazuko Miyamoto developed many of her works at the A.I.R. Gallery in New York’s SoHo district, which was run by and for (exclusively) female-identified artists. To this day, she remains committed to feminist and collective working methods. The exhibition String Constructions spans three floors and the inner courtyard of KW. All of her works are produced on site at KW in accordance with the work concept.

In addition to reconstructing Miyamoto’s works for the exhibition, the students use what they have learned and experienced for an experimental exploration in their own artistic practice. Based on Miyamoto’s working methods, a wide range of art-theoretical, formal-aesthetic, or political points of reference can be pursued. The students’ own works will be presented in the KW’s education room during the last week of the exhibition in January 2026.

As part of this project, students gain insight into the working methods of various departments within the institution and into the institutional processes involved in producing an exhibition.

Seminar leaders:

Akiko Bernhöft, curator, examination and exhibition organization, Berlin University of the Arts
Sarah Kamender, head of woodworking workshop, Berlin University of the Arts
Miriam Döring, project assistant

Project management KW:

Alexia Manzano, Head of Education and Outreach