The Defiant’s First Stand:
Salon de Refusées at krautART ARTspace – A Bold Manifesto of Artistic Independence

Berlin, January 28, 2024: Berlin witnesses a historical revival of the Parisian Salon des Refusés of 1863 with the “Salon de Refusées” at krautART ARTspace. This exhibition, taking place from February 29 to March 28, 2024, showcases the works of 47 female artists from 17 countries, whose art was rejected by established art institutions and deals with controversial and often censored themes.

The exhibition features, among others, the explicit photo series by Bob Jones, centering on the female vulva, demanding the right for bodily autonomy.

Julia Apostolidou, charLotte, and Gennifer Deri intensely explore the female forms and their appearances. Zahralena Frohwitter confronts censorship and silence on femicides with her photo documentation “Gypsophila y todas las flores”.

Kathrin Greiner and Leigh Witherell address physical and emotional pain, while Bilge Ugursu depicts internal struggles and anxieties associated with different mental states. Additionally, works addressing capitalism and environmental activism contribute to the exhibition’s overarching message.

Artist and curator of the Salon, for example, cornelia es said engages in „Klimakleber“ with the challenges the youth faces amidst global crises, mirroring the urgency seen in pieces like Eva Alvor’s ‘Dead Bird’ from Ukraine.

At the same time, Natasha Lelenco’s ‘Exchange Currencies’ powerfully challenges the concepts of currency and alienness by replacing the common national symbols on coins with anonymous profiles of migrants, redefining the meaning of currency and art in a global context.

Salon de Refusées becomes a space of resistance and freedom in art through this explosive mix of works, vehemently defending equal rights to life, goods and expression. the exhibition presents a wide range of media and techniques, from painting, drawing, textile art, printmaking, mixed-media techniques, 3D sculpture, and sound installations to video games.

“The idea for the ‘Salon de Refusées’ emerged from personal experience and a dialogue with GPT-4, after I myself received rejections from established art institutions. Such rejections are commonplace for artists, yet they question the value of our work. In times of recession, where art sales are particularly difficult for unknown artists, the vision of an exhibition that appreciates rejected art was born. The enthusiasm in the art scene for this concept was overwhelming and confirms the necessity of such a project.”

– cornelia es said

This unique show is a significant statement for artistic freedom and diversity. The “Salon de Refusées” challenges visitors to engage with artworks that cross conventional boundaries and provoke discussions.

Additional Information:
The krautART ARTspace offers a platform in the heart of Berlin to make unrecognized art accessible to a wide audience. The project is not just about presenting art, but also to foster discussion and engagement with the promotion of diversity and resilience.

About krautART ARTspace:
Located in the heart of Lichtenberg’s Weitlingkiez, near Nöldnerplatz in Berlin, krautART ARTspace was established in 2018 by the artist Cornelia Es Said and her partner. The space serves as a creative production facility and a gallery for multimedia exhibitions. Openings are often marked by multimedia elements, live music, DJs, and performances. Inspired by Cornelia’s experiences in the squatter movement of East Berlin, krautART ARTspace is dedicated to promoting authentic art and collaborative creativity, in the spirit of independence and free access to art.