Photo: © Tea Stražičić.
With Vermillion, the Trauma Bar and Cinema in Heidestraße presents the solo exhibition of the Croatian-born multimedia artist Tea Stražičić. For the first time, the exhibition exclusively shows large-format drawings and paintings by the artist, who has so far worked artistically mainly in the field of video art and animation. The exhibition is curated by Madalina Stanescu.
In the individual works, the story Vermillion, which she co-authored with Nicholas Zhu, is reinterpreted as an oversized graphic novel in exhibition format: “Horsemen of the Apocalypse”, a chaotic group of friends on their way to a doomsday party, embark on a journey to bring “Behemoth” to an “Anti-Diluvian Club” in this story.
The characters in the narrative are striking skeletal creatures with vampire-like behaviour who change their appearance as they travel through a surreal landscape of apps, add-ons and architecture. On their journey, they gradually lose their sense of self, their need for self-determination and individuality. They understand individuality as a trap that humans have created for themselves and that prevents real communication. Stražičić thus ties in with themes such as individuality and self-determination of the individual. In addition to large-format drawings and paintings as well as objects, an animated film by Ana Sagadin complements the exhibition. The narrative Vermillion will also be designed calligraphically by Jean-Baptiste Normand as a book object for the exhibition.
About the artist
Tea Stražičić (*1990) studied Animated Film and New Media at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb, Croatia. Most recently she has had solo exhibitions at Polansky Gallery in Prague (2019) and Ung-5 in Cologne (2020). She has also been involved in festivals such as Sonic Acts, Creepy Teepee, Supynes, Ekstravagantna Tijela, Creamcake, Good Intentions. Together with her sister Marta Stražičić she founded SwS (Sisters Sisters) in 2012, a digital media art collective working with visual content for electronic musicians and festivals (alias @flufford). Her work and exhibitions have been published by Heavy Metal (USA), Adult Swim, Tzvetnik, AQNB and Art Viewer, among others. Tea Stražičić lives and works in Berlin.
About the venue
Trauma Bar und Kino is a fluid place where club and art meet. Since opening in summer 2018, Trauma Bar und Kino has formed an alternative to the established club and art scene in Berlin. In one of the few remaining old buildings on Heidestraße, Trauma Bar und Kino has been completely refurbished as an experimental place that can be redefined again and again. In addition to a dance floor with various staircases and raised platforms, a cinema and a maze have also been created there. The modular architecture continues in the programme: an art performance can merge into a club night, a film screening into an immersive installation – or everything into each other. Trauma Bar and Cinema is an open, queerfeminist and sex-positive space.
The exhibition can be visited during the accompanying events or by personal arrangement, please see the website www.traumabarundkino.de for exact dates and times. Participation possible only for vaccinated and recovered guests.
WHERE?
Trauma Bar und Kino, Heidestraße 50, 10557 Berlin-Tiergarten
WHEN?
Opening: Saturday, 6 November, 2021
Doors open 8:00 pm
Exhibiiton period: Saturday, 6 November to Monday, 6 December 2021
Live Performances: Tears of Fire (Iran), VIOLENCE (US)
+ Special Guest
COSTS?
Tickets: 18 EUR