On 7 August 2025, the CSR.ART Contemporary Show Room will celebrate its (re)opening with a vernissage at its new location, the iconic, listed BIKINI BERLIN in City West. The opening exhibition, FINE ART!, realised in collaboration with the Martin Mertens Gallery, will present works by three outstanding international artists: Thorbjørn Bechmann (Denmark), Sébastien Gaudette (Canada) and Sebastian Herzau (Germany). The thematic bracket is formed by the term fine art. ‘Fine art’ stands out from the blanket term ‘art’ through its high standards of technique, concept and deeper meaning. It is not just about representation, aesthetics and reflection, but about art that is culturally and intellectually relevant. The techniques used are often rooted in the long tradition of painting, sculpture or graphic art. The opening of FINE ART! will take place on Thursday, 7 August 2025, from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition will be on view until 6 September 2025.
Fig. above: Sebastian Herzau, the great below B. II-19 L., 2019, acrylic on canvas, 160 x 140 cm, courtesy Galerie Martin Mertens
The exhibition FINE ART! pursues the idea of presenting the concept of ‘fine art’ in all its depth and diversity. Through the works of three technically accomplished artists, Thorbjørn Bechmann, Sébastien Gaudette and Sebastian Herzau, it shows how contemporary art reinterprets and further develops traditional disciplines such as painting and sculpture. The focus is not only on aesthetic quality, but also on addressing current issues and promoting intercultural dialogue. The exhibition thus serves as a platform for exchange and reflection on the role of art in today’s society. It makes it clear that fine art is much more than just an aesthetic experience. It is a lively, complex dialogue between art, society and the individual perceptions of the viewer.
The FINE ART! exhibition sees itself as a contemporary experience, as it understands art not only as an aesthetic experience, but as a living, interactive process. It is about how artists today use traditional media and techniques to reflect on current issues and personal forms of expression. The term ‘fine art’ is defined more democratically: it is not just art for the elite, but the exhibition becomes a platform for dialogue between art, society and the individual experiences and wealth of experience of the viewers. In this context, art becomes a dynamic, multi-layered experience that challenges both visually and intellectually.
Thorbjørn Bechmann (1966, Denmark) lives and works in Copenhagen. His non-representational paintings are created through a process-oriented approach in which he applies layers of oil paint that, through dilution and layering, produce subtle colour gradients and transparencies. Bechmann studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and has exhibited in Denmark, Germany, Istanbul and Japan. His works are represented in public and private collections, including the Danish Arts Foundation.
Sébastien Gaudette (born 1984, Canada) lives and works in Montreal. His works are masterful trompe-l’œil sculptures made of aluminium, modelled on crumpled paper. With the finest craftsmanship and a clear focus on the material, he creates objects that blur the boundary between sculpture and drawing. Each work is unique, handmade and painted, deliberately avoiding the use of digital tools.
Sebastian Herzau (1980, Germany) lives and works in Halle/Saale and Magdeburg. After studying painting at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, he founded the artists’ organisation dieHO in 2005. Herzau’s work focuses on portraits and still lifes, using overpainting and alienation effects to challenge the viewer’s perception. His works have been exhibited at the Martin Mertens Gallery in Berlin, among other venues.
Founded in Berlin-Mitte in 2006, Galerie Martin Mertens specialises in promoting and presenting young international artists. Its focus is on contemporary art with high standards of craftsmanship and artistic independence. The gallery’s programme includes painting, drawing, photography, object art and sculpture. In addition to regular exhibitions in Berlin, the gallery is also involved in international art fairs and collaborations with partner galleries.
Since 2022, CSR.ART has been presenting relevant works of contemporary art by artists regardless of age, origin or gender. Through experimental exhibitions at temporary locations, such as Berlin’s Friedrichstraße and Sacrow Castle near Potsdam, CSR.ART contributes to intercultural and intellectual exchange. The exhibitions are organised by DEEDS.LAB, a non-profit organisation for the promotion of art and culture. DEEDS.LAB develops concepts and cooperates with various partners to promote artists and make their art visible.
BIKINI BERLIN is an innovative concept mall in the heart of West Berlin, which opened in 2014 after extensive renovation of the historic Bikini House. The building complex was originally constructed in 1957. The name ‘Bikini House’ comes from its striking architecture with an open middle floor, reminiscent of 1950s swimwear. ‘Watt above, watt below, and nothing in the middle,’ as they used to say in Berlin. BIKINI BERLIN spans three floors with design boutiques, art galleries and projects, cafés, concept stores and the Kantini, a street food court, including a large roof terrace overlooking Berlin Zoo.
WHEN?
Opening reception: Thursday, 7 August 2025, 6–9 p.m.
Exhibition dates: Friday, 8 August to Saturday, 6 September 2025
WHERE?
CSR.ART
Budapester Str. 38–50
Entrance on the left side of the building (towards Zoo Palast Cinema)
On the ground floor, immediately to the left
10787 Berlin
opening with a vernissage... DEEDS. Cultural news, art exhibitions + art events to discover.){kind=link}