06.07.23 - 06.09.23.
In ancient Greek mythology, the mountain nymph Echo (Greek: Ἠχώ) withered away and faded from the torment of unrequited love for the son of the river god, Narcissus. Only her voice remained.
Defining the true sound of Berlin is challenging. For us, it encompasses a dense, powerful fusion of techno, punk rock, and the noise of demonstrations. We realize now that we became an echo of this sound even in St. Petersburg, where we devoted our lives to working in techno clubs. After spending 10 years in various positions in the club industry, we reflected off the newly lowered iron curtain wall and returned to Berlin. We came back as a reflected energetic impulse and dedicated an entire year to reuniting with the powerful Berlin sound of counterculture. Berlin shaped us, and this exhibition at KitKat, one of the most popular and spiritually aligned clubs, embodies that essence.
We are Echo. We are the art group OTKYDACMEX. We are Sima and Siarhei. Sima represents reflections of sexual practices, a desire for freedom and vibrant colors, a constant search for oneself and one's path, candid moments and revelations embodied in contemporary painting and performances. Siarhei embodies aesthetic pleasure in the unattractive, post-industrial hope after the death of the institutional era, the ephemeral beauty of materials and technologies captured in objects and readymades. The exhibition "Echo(re)location OTKYDACMEX" was assembled in Berlin in fragments, both literally and figuratively. Sima created her canvases drawing inspiration from sketches made in places where photography is prohibited. She collected fragments of a ketamine-induced kaleidoscope of memories after parties, performances, and exclusive or private viewings of live art and nightlife, forming a distinctive painted diary filled with recognizable images. These canvases themselves serve as memories because guided by the concept of a second life for objects, Sima often assembled large canvases from scraps or unused canvases donated by our Berlin artist and sculptor friends, adding another layer of memories and stories associated with her works.
The exhibition features artworks we created during our year and a half in Berlin. Individual parts of Echo(re)location have been presented in official galleries and art residencies, have been part of protest exhibitions in local communities and alternative self-organized communities, exhibited in a drug dealer's apartment and at a punk festival on the street, and even shared with a stranger on the street at night. Thus, the echo returns when least expected. Thus, we have returned to the club!
Siarhei und Sima OTKYDACMEX with love
06.07.2023, Berlin.
In the theory and philosophy of club culture, clubs are recognized as important cultural spaces that go beyond mere entertainment and nightlife. They serve as hubs of artistic expression, social interaction, and collective experiences, shaping and reflecting contemporary culture.
By organizing exhibitions and art programs within clubs, we aim to further enrich the cultural fabric of these spaces. Our intention is not to impose culture onto the clubs but rather to acknowledge and enhance the cultural significance that already exists within them.
Presenting a diverse cultural program within the club environment allows us to tap into the existing energy and atmosphere of the space. It provides a unique platform for artists, performers, and musicians to engage with a dynamic and receptive audience, blurring the lines between traditional art spaces and nightlife venues. We also aspire to broaden the circle of artists and creative friends who will share the stage with us at Kitkat club. Our goal is to attract and invite talented artists specializing in performances and art that harmoniously blends with the club's distinctive atmosphere. While we have listed some of the artists who wish to perform at KitKat, we are open to suggestions and collaborations
Participants and their performances:
OTKYDACMEX - Live Painting Performances
Lucia Lip - ELECTRONIC POP EXTRAVAGANZA, music performance
Marie - music album and video installation presentation
Mariam Aianadi and Leonardo Shabo - Hedonia, butoh
