032c isn't just a magazine; it's a cultural phenomenon, a chameleon that constantly reinvents itself. Think of it as the stylish mad scientist of the fashion, art, and design worlds—forever experimenting with bold new ideas while blurring the lines between these disciplines. Born from Berlin’s subversive spirit, 032c is like that rebellious friend who never quite plays by the rules but always makes you rethink the ones you live by. With each issue, each project, it morphs into something new, yet unmistakably 032c—a house of mirrors where you confront culture’s boldest reflections. Now, with the launch of its gallery, 032c is inviting you to step inside and see where your reflection takes you.
032c Gallery is a permanent fixture that promises to be a cultural beacon amidst the city’s ever-shifting creative currents. Imagine stepping into a gallery space that feels less like a static showcase and more like a living, breathing entity—a space where art isn’t confined to the walls but spills out like wild vines, constantly reshaping its surroundings.
032c Gallery, the brainchild of Joerg Koch, is poised to become this very creature—a place where the semi-traditional gallery model collides head-on with Berlin’s raw, unpolished soul.
At the heart of this new gallery is its inaugural exhibition, “Productive Narcissism”—a title that drips with irony and self-awareness, much like the artists it features. Here, personal identity becomes a chameleon, forever changing under the pressures of societal expectations. Artists like Jon Rafman and Hugo Comte act as modern-day alchemists, distilling the essence of our digital obsessions, our self-curated lives, into tangible works that reflect the chaos of constant reinvention. Their works serve as mirrors—sometimes distorted, sometimes harsh—but always forcing us to confront the art of "self-design."
This isn’t just a gallery exhibition; it’s a hall of mirrors, reflecting not only the individuals we aspire to be but also the fragmented, pixelated versions of ourselves we leave behind on social media. Like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole, visitors to 032c Gallery will find themselves plunged into a surreal landscape where the self is both artist and artwork, endlessly reconstructed by external forces.
Drawing from Boris Groys’ essay “Self-Design, or Productive Narcissism”, the show suggests that identity is no longer an organic growth but a carefully crafted design project—one in which society itself becomes the exhibition space. As we move through this space, we become both the curators and the curated, constantly molding ourselves to fit the fluctuating aesthetics of the world around us. It’s a perpetual tug-of-war between safety and self-destruction, much like Todd Haynes’ cult film Safe, which hints at a sanctuary that turns out to be a prison of its own making.
But fear not, this isn’t an exhibition that wallows in despair. Rather, it celebrates the absurdity of modern life, the performative dance we engage in daily. It’s a satirical wink at the very industries that shape our sense of self, daring us to laugh at the madness while secretly acknowledging how deep it runs.
Having opened during Berlin Art Week on September 13, 2024, and running until October 8, “Productive Narcissism” is the perfect entrée into the bold new world of 032c Gallery.
It’s a space where the self is both celebrated and deconstructed, where art is not just seen but felt—a mirror reflecting the ever-shifting kaleidoscope of modern identity. So, are you ready to meet the art piece that is yourself? Because at 032c, the line between artist and audience has never been thinner.
We cannot wait to visit . . .
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Words by AW.
Photos courtesy of 032c.