dimanche 11 novembre 2012
lundi 19 mars 2012
The two of us at the RISE berlin gallery
The Two of Us – Jon John
RISE berlin is pleased to present "The Two of Us" a live performance and exhibition by the French artist Jon John.
With "The Two Us" Jon explores themes of love and loss, the resilience of broken heart and our yearning to heal and love again. For Jon John the act of love is one of the last surviving ecstatic rituals in our disposable society.
As Jon begins his performance he is naked (honest) except for several strings of pearls, he is bleeding via a venous cannula into several empty vials. By his side is a glass of milk and some cut white roses and the floor is covered with a large white cloth. As the audience enters the space each person is given a single pearl. They are invited to place their fingers and the pearl in Jon’s moist mouth. This shared moment of intimacy is somewhere between Holy Communion and a sexual act. Jon uses the milk to swallow the pearl; the moment is sealed. The thirsty roses are placed into the blood filled vials, over time as they drink the petals will change to pink. These romantic symbols become accomplices in this love story.
As the blood continues to flow Jon kneels on the cloth, using the cannula as a makeshift quill he begins to write.
Literally pouring out his heart as a living prayer his " ecrits pourpes" (purple writing). Writing over and over "the 2 of us" a hypnotic mantra each drop filled with emotion a poem, a spell a paean for love. With each sentence Jon becomes weaker.
As the writing covers the cloth Jon’s body protests, by now he has lost a lot of blood, it becomes thicker, sticky and much darker. By this stage breathing is labored, his heartbeat is erratic and a black halo enters his vision, but passion is stronger than the physical body. Jon begins to chant an audio manifestation of his hypnotic poem he continues for as long as he can the performance ends when there is no more to give.
The intense physicality and emotional depth of Jons practice has been thrilling and inspiring international audiences for ten years. Jon draws inspiration from many cultures and religious rituals throughout history. A young veteran of the body modification “scene” Jon has collaborated with notable artist such as Ron Athey, Kiril Bikov and Juano Diaz.
Jon lives and works in Berlin.
The exhibition runs from 06. April - 28. April 2012.
Opening times: Thursday to Saturday 14.00 - 19.00 h or by appointment
RISE berlin is an artist-run project space in Neukölln, Berlin.
RISE berlin, Hertzbergstrasse 27, Neukölln, 12055 Berlin, Germany
info@riseberlin.com , www.riseberlin.com
Contact: Mike Bertram, Tel: +4916099000687
The Two of Us – Jon John
RISE berlin freut sich, Ihnen die Live-Performance und Ausstellung „The Two of Us“, des französischen Künstlers Jon John, zu präsentieren.
Mit „The Two of Us“ erkundet Jon die Themen Liebe und Verlust, die Belastbarkeit eines gebrochenen Herzens und unsere Sehnsucht nach Heilung und erneuter Liebe. Für Jon John ist der Akt der Liebe eines der letzten ekstatischen Rituale unserer Wegwerfgesellschaft.
Zu Beginn der Performance ist Jon bis auf einige Perlenketten nackt (wahrhaftig). Er blutet über eine Venen-Kanüle in mehrere leere Violen, neben ihm ein Glas Milch und einige geschnittene weiße Rosen, der Boden ist bedeckt mit einem großen weißen Tuch. Das Publikum betritt den Raum, jede Person bekommt eine einzelne Perle und wird aufgefordert Finger samt Perle in Jons feuchten Mund zu legen. Es entsteht ein gemeinsamer Moment der Intimität, irgendwo zwischen heiliger Kommunion und sexueller Handlung. Jon schluckt die Perle zusammen mit der Milch und besiegelt damit den Akt. Die durstigen Rosen werden in die blutgefüllten Violen gestellt und während sie trinken, färben sich ihre Blütenblätter mit der Zeit rosa. Diese romantischen Symbole sind Verbündete dieser Liebesgeschichte.
Auf dem Tuch kniend und weiter blutend benutzt Jon nun die Kanüle als behelfsmäßigen Federkiel und beginnt damit zu schreiben. Jon wird immer schwächer während er im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes mit diesem “écris pourpres” (purpurrote Schrift) sein Herz ausschüttet, wie ein lebendiges Gebet. Wieder und wieder schreibt er „the 2 of us“, einem hypnotischen Mantra gleich, jeder Tropfen gefüllt mit Emotion entsteht ein Gedicht, eine Zauberformel, ein Lobgesang der Liebe.
Während sich das Tuch immer mehr mit der Schrift füllt, beginnt Jons Körper ob des Blutverlustes zu rebellieren. Das Blut wird zusehens dicker, klebriger und viel dunkler. Jons Atem wird schwerer, sein Herzschlag unregelmäßig und ein schwarzer Schleier verhängt seine Sicht. Doch die Leidenschaft ist stärker als der sterbliche Körper. Jon beginnt einen Sprechgesang, eine hörbare Manifestation seines hypnotischen Gedichtes, welchen er fortführt, solange es ihm möglich ist. Die Performance endet, wenn er nichts mehr zu geben hat.
Die intensive Körperlichkeit und emotionale Tiefe von Jons Praktiken begeistern und inspirieren seit zehn Jahren ein internationales Publikum. Jon schöpft seine Inspiration aus verschiedensten religiösen Ritualen und Kulturkreisen der Geschichte.
Als junger Veteran der Körper-Modifikations-Szene hat Jon bereits mit namhaften Künstlern wie Ron Athey, Kiril Bikov und Juano Diaz zusammengearbeitet.
Jon lebt und arbeitet in Berlin.
Die Ausstellung läuft vom 06. April - 28. April 2012.
Öffnungszeiten: Donnerstag - Sonntag 14.00 - 19.00 Uhr oder nach Vereinbarung
RISE berlin ist ein künstlerbetriebener Projektraum in Neukölln, Berlin.
RISE Berlin, Hertzbergstrasse 27, Neukölln, 12055 Berlin Tel: +4916099000687
info@riseberlin.com , www.riseberlin.com
vendredi 5 août 2011
NEW WEBSITE
We won't be using this blog anymore, we now have our own website: www.akaberlin.com
All the news, exhibition, tattoo artists updates will now be posted on this site!
Sincerely,
Your AKA Team
All the news, exhibition, tattoo artists updates will now be posted on this site!
Sincerely,
Your AKA Team
jeudi 14 avril 2011
mardi 15 mars 2011
mercredi 23 février 2011
interview for bang bang berlin
http://www.bangbangberlin.com/en/index/Arts/Aka-Interview-With-Jon-John-Co-Owner-Of-Berlins-Hottest-Tattooart-Space/
Renowned tattoo gallery and art hub AKA in Kreuzberg is getting more and more respect in the alternative and creative world, not just in Berlin but in other major cities around the world for reeling in the best of the best tattoo artists and creatives to work and exhibit for a short time in the gallery. I spoke to Jon John, Berlin party boy and co owner of AKA...
Jon John, you [correct me if i'm wrong] co-own AKA, can you explain exactly to people what it is?
AKA is a hybrid art space, multidisciplinary, and an evolving project following an artist residency.
How long has it been running for and what gave you the initiative to start it?
We just celebrated our 1 year aniversary. As a multidisciplinary artist, it has always been hard to fine some space combining different art practices, Being in a city like Berlin which is focused and filled with artists pushed me, and under the impulsion of Valentin (co owner)... The story began.
So first of all AKA is an artist run space, so valentin and I are not only owner, but part and contributing into the AKA project, as we use the space for our respective art activity.
There is large tattoo activity. For being in the world of tattoo for quiet a long time now, i have the opportunity to have amazing artist as friends. The idea is to bring them to berlin, every two months in general, as guest artists for a week.
Then we have a resident team of tattoo artists, photographers, performers, silkscreen artists...
All those people, coming from different backgrounds, using different techniques, and evaluating each others work, sharing and guessing create AKA. What we usually call, the family.
The idea was to give to people in our surrounding, friends, the opportunity to have a space to work, and to be all together.
So it's like a small community, a community of tattooed and pierced beauties! I can safely say that your tattoo parlor is one of my favorites in europe just from the quality of work that is pumped out, You have had some of the biggest names in not only contemporary but classic tattoo artists come visit AKA, can you let us in on who is coming in the near future?
I've been working on the bookings of some new tattoo artists for 2011, NOON is gonna be here in March, And for the begining of the summer we'll start to present the italian style with the artists from The Saint Mariner in Milan, Then there should be some more Italian artists to follow. AKA will soon be opened to my greek connections aswell, with tattooligans from thesaloniki. I'm also actually working on an English booking, but can't say any names for the moment, That's to be revealed. [he smirks]
Well, well, well, Italians, Greeks, Brits... I know where i'm going to be in March! Your job at AKA consists of doing the piercing and body modification side of things, but also there is the gallery space which you have been known to rock out at times, have you got any exhibitions coming up or running at the moment which are something unmissable?
Good that you mention that one, Amazing Ango the meekdead show "sexdate turned into a massive bloodbrawl" is just over. We'll be pleased to showcase in 2011 fantastic works by LNY, Julie fogarty, Massimo gurnari, Kiril Bikov, Richard james hancock, another group show aswell.
I'm working on a gallery exchange with Barcelona, so AKA is going to be there by the end of June presenting 5 artists with a performance evening. I'll personally be reducing my involvment on the piercing side, Next year I shall only work on appointment/request, as we want to design and produce our own clothing collection, so we gonna open a showroom at AKA.
I've been doing piercing for 10 years now, i've been a teacher in this field. I'm still doing it with a lot of love (and care), but i also have my performance career to honor, I'm currently working on new multimedia performance pieces, videos and other needs and passions that I want to fullfill as I explained, so piercing at AKA is going to be a bit more "exclusive", but deffo still done with my heart.
Aw shame! You're a brilliant piercer, but also your perfomance side is compelling so it's understandable, so... For our international readers, you travel around to different parlors in europe and offer your piercing and body modification services, Where is next on the map for you? and where can people book?
I'm quite often quest appearing at "extreme needle" in london, and I should be there in March and June, still not sure of the exact dates though.
Really! I got my septum done at extreme needle! Okay, now I want gossip... What is your favorite tattoo that you have seen created at AKA?
That s too cruel as a question, I'm too pasionate by body ornament to only have one fave, I've got my dream team here and really admire and respect their work, but... Guy le tatooer's style is deffo my fav.
His stuff is mind blowing, He did a few of my friends ink, really quite spectacular to look at isn't it! So lastly Jon John, Is there anything else you would like to mention about AKA that you think readers should know?
Well, AKA have put on it's new jewellery collection, check it out, that s our new born baby
(akajewellery.tumblr.com/archive), And I really would like to thank again all the artists collaborating with us on the AKA project, thank you for being able to make me proudly (and cheesily) say "WE ARE FAMILY!".
Cool! and what a strange and lovely family you all are. Thank you Jon John for answering my questions!
Thank you Jackee!
Renowned tattoo gallery and art hub AKA in Kreuzberg is getting more and more respect in the alternative and creative world, not just in Berlin but in other major cities around the world for reeling in the best of the best tattoo artists and creatives to work and exhibit for a short time in the gallery. I spoke to Jon John, Berlin party boy and co owner of AKA...
Jon John, you [correct me if i'm wrong] co-own AKA, can you explain exactly to people what it is?
AKA is a hybrid art space, multidisciplinary, and an evolving project following an artist residency.
How long has it been running for and what gave you the initiative to start it?
We just celebrated our 1 year aniversary. As a multidisciplinary artist, it has always been hard to fine some space combining different art practices, Being in a city like Berlin which is focused and filled with artists pushed me, and under the impulsion of Valentin (co owner)... The story began.
So first of all AKA is an artist run space, so valentin and I are not only owner, but part and contributing into the AKA project, as we use the space for our respective art activity.
There is large tattoo activity. For being in the world of tattoo for quiet a long time now, i have the opportunity to have amazing artist as friends. The idea is to bring them to berlin, every two months in general, as guest artists for a week.
Then we have a resident team of tattoo artists, photographers, performers, silkscreen artists...
All those people, coming from different backgrounds, using different techniques, and evaluating each others work, sharing and guessing create AKA. What we usually call, the family.
The idea was to give to people in our surrounding, friends, the opportunity to have a space to work, and to be all together.
So it's like a small community, a community of tattooed and pierced beauties! I can safely say that your tattoo parlor is one of my favorites in europe just from the quality of work that is pumped out, You have had some of the biggest names in not only contemporary but classic tattoo artists come visit AKA, can you let us in on who is coming in the near future?
I've been working on the bookings of some new tattoo artists for 2011, NOON is gonna be here in March, And for the begining of the summer we'll start to present the italian style with the artists from The Saint Mariner in Milan, Then there should be some more Italian artists to follow. AKA will soon be opened to my greek connections aswell, with tattooligans from thesaloniki. I'm also actually working on an English booking, but can't say any names for the moment, That's to be revealed. [he smirks]
Well, well, well, Italians, Greeks, Brits... I know where i'm going to be in March! Your job at AKA consists of doing the piercing and body modification side of things, but also there is the gallery space which you have been known to rock out at times, have you got any exhibitions coming up or running at the moment which are something unmissable?
Good that you mention that one, Amazing Ango the meekdead show "sexdate turned into a massive bloodbrawl" is just over. We'll be pleased to showcase in 2011 fantastic works by LNY, Julie fogarty, Massimo gurnari, Kiril Bikov, Richard james hancock, another group show aswell.
I'm working on a gallery exchange with Barcelona, so AKA is going to be there by the end of June presenting 5 artists with a performance evening. I'll personally be reducing my involvment on the piercing side, Next year I shall only work on appointment/request, as we want to design and produce our own clothing collection, so we gonna open a showroom at AKA.
I've been doing piercing for 10 years now, i've been a teacher in this field. I'm still doing it with a lot of love (and care), but i also have my performance career to honor, I'm currently working on new multimedia performance pieces, videos and other needs and passions that I want to fullfill as I explained, so piercing at AKA is going to be a bit more "exclusive", but deffo still done with my heart.
Aw shame! You're a brilliant piercer, but also your perfomance side is compelling so it's understandable, so... For our international readers, you travel around to different parlors in europe and offer your piercing and body modification services, Where is next on the map for you? and where can people book?
I'm quite often quest appearing at "extreme needle" in london, and I should be there in March and June, still not sure of the exact dates though.
Really! I got my septum done at extreme needle! Okay, now I want gossip... What is your favorite tattoo that you have seen created at AKA?
That s too cruel as a question, I'm too pasionate by body ornament to only have one fave, I've got my dream team here and really admire and respect their work, but... Guy le tatooer's style is deffo my fav.
His stuff is mind blowing, He did a few of my friends ink, really quite spectacular to look at isn't it! So lastly Jon John, Is there anything else you would like to mention about AKA that you think readers should know?
Well, AKA have put on it's new jewellery collection, check it out, that s our new born baby
(akajewellery.tumblr.com/archive), And I really would like to thank again all the artists collaborating with us on the AKA project, thank you for being able to make me proudly (and cheesily) say "WE ARE FAMILY!".
Cool! and what a strange and lovely family you all are. Thank you Jon John for answering my questions!
Thank you Jackee!
lundi 14 février 2011
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