Ich Kenne Kein Weekend! The René Block Archives – 50 Years Of Living History In Berlin

About

Block’s career began in 1964 at his gallery in West Berlin with the legendary show “Neodada, Pop, Décollage, Capitalist Realism”. At the time he gathered around him as yet unknown artists like Gerhard Richter, Sigmar Polke, Joseph Beuys, Nam June Paik and Wolf Vostell. As one of the first to promote conceptual art, Fluxus and happenings, Block played a decisive role in Berlin’s arrival on the contemporary scene, which had been delayed by the city’s isolation. Block’s work included publishing portfolios of prints and multiples, and organising big thematic exhibitions, concerts and performances such as the spectacular action “I like America and America likes me”, with which Beuys opened a branch in New York in 1974. The show at the Berlinische Galerie focuses on Block’s early activities. Alongside works from our own collection, there will be installations and objects rarely seen, such as photographs and documents from the Block Archives. Parallel to this, the Neuer Berliner Kunstverein is devoting an exhibition to his international curatorships. As head of art and music for the Berlin Artists-in Residence Programme funded by the DAAD, director at the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen and Kunsthalle Fridericianum, and artistic director of many biennials, Block’s life was an unprecedented story of discovering, collecting and exhibiting modern art. The show is accompanied by a diverse programme of events.