News – John von Bergen

John von Bergen

Jonathan Lethem’s Parallel Play – Contemporary Art and Art Writing

November 20, 2024

The recent publication of Cellophane Bricks, Lethem’s first volume of collected art writings, is the genesis of this exhibition. The Benton will be featuring work from or related to his personal collection, often acquired in a fluid system of exchange with artists and galleries. ... read more

The Tee Room @ Night Gallery, Los Angeles

November 16, 2024

Night Gallery is delighted to announce The Tee Room, a pop-up retail experiment featuring unique tee-shirts handmade by artists. The Tee Room is an unprecedented opportunity to explore divergent approaches to the most essential modern garment, the tee shirt. ... read more

“RELICS” in Dresden at Zentralwerk

November 7, 2024

On the occasion of the "Erinnerungspolitischen Fachtags" (Political Memory Symposium), the Kabinett, a space for contemporary art at the Zentralwerk Dresden, presents the exhibition RELICS by the American artist John von Bergen. ... read more

The Albers Foundation Residency Open Studio

July 15, 2024

Thanks to everyone who attended my recent open studio at The Albers Foundation in my home-state of Connecticut! We brought together so many attendees from all around who had the chance to engage with new works. ... read more

Art contribution to “Cellophane Bricks” by writer Jonathan Lethem, Published by ZE Books

March 1, 2024

Artwork illustrated: "UFO-UMIS #46", Pencil on paper, 2014, Collection of Jonathan Lethem ... read more

The Wandlung Story

January 14, 2024

In "The 'Wandlung' Story", artist John von Bergen explains his ambitious new 50-foot-high concrete installation titled "Wandlung" ("transformation") that was commissioned as an extension of The German Bundestag at the historical Neustädtische-Kirchstrasse 4-5 in the center of Berlin. ... read more

CORE monograph now distributed by Artbook @ Hauser & Wirth, Los Angeles

November 1, 2023

CORE, 2014, Published by Kerber Verlag / d.a.p. Texts by Dr. Heinz Stahlhut, Kimberly Bradley, Arsalan Mohammad ... read more

Topping-out Ceremony, The German Bundestag, Neustädtischer Kirchstraße 4-5, Berlin

September 20, 2023

New building for The German Bundestag’s new building extension includes public art commission “Wandlung” (final public presentation in 2026) ... read more

Zoom lecture “Virtual Reality In The Artist’s Studio”, UCLA, Los Angeles

May 26, 2023

Discussing Bard College student works with UCLA’s XR Initiative / Working Group ... read more

“Study for Wandlung #2” acquisition for The German Bundestag Collection, Berlin

November 1, 2022

“Study for Wandlung #2”, one of the preparatory artworks relating to the public art commission “Wandlung” for The German Bundestag. ... read more

Visual Essay for Berlin Art Link

June 24, 2022

Images of artworks and inspirations that respond to Berlin Art Link’s featured topic of “FAKE” ... read more

Artist Talk at Kommunale Galerie, Berlin

June 12, 2022

Public discussion concerning the exhibition Replace The Space with curator Dorothea Schone and artist Noa Heyne, with Q & A afterwards ... read more

“Replace The Space” exhibition at Kommunale Galerie, Berlin, curated by Dr. Dorothea Schoene

May 3, 2022

Excerpt from press release: “Urban planning and architecture have always been a steadfast witness to the social and political constitution of societies. But what happens when this architecture is decontextualized or fragmented?” ... read more

“Death Valley” acquisition for Bauschke Braeuer Buhlmann law firm, Berlin

November 1, 2020

“Wände I Walls” exhibition at Kunstmuseum Stuttgart, curated by Dr. Anne Vieth

September 26, 2020

Excerpt from press release: “The genre of wall work in the exhibition space presupposes a reflection on the wall as a medium, which can be observed over the course of the 20th century and increasingly among artists since the 1960s.” ... read more

Jonathan Lasker interviewed by John von Bergen for Galerie Thomas Schulte, Berlin

May 6, 2019

“Jonathan Lasker Speaking About His Paintings” On the occasion of his exhibition of recent paintings at Galerie Thomas Schulte (27 April 27 - June 29, 2019) painter Jonathan Lasker speaks about his painting process at his studio in New York. ... read more

“RELICS” solo exhibition at Zentralwerk, Dresden

June 15, 2018

RELICS is the first solo exhibition in Dresden by the Berlin-based artist John von Bergen. His new projects are based on recent architectural impressions made at Zentralwerk, as well as the research and obtainment of twentieth-century “product” developed by the former business entities of this property. ... read more

Panel Discussion: “Navigating a Career in the Practicing Arts”, Bard College Berlin

April 18, 2018

Bard College Berlin hosts a panel discussion with six faculty members who have developed careers in the arts: April Gertler, John von Bergen, Nina Tecklenburg, David C. Terry, Sophia New, and John Kleckner. ... read more

Prize ceremony and exhibition presenting public art competition designs for two new Bundestag buildings. Hosted by Bundesamt für Bauwesen und Raumordnung, Berlin

July 10, 2017

Prizes awarded to Sabine Hornig, Karin Sander, and John von Bergen ... read more

Prize winner for “Wandlung”, public art project for The German Bundestag, Berlin

June 15, 2017

"Wandlung" (Transformation) is a project proposal that involves an image of two intertwining flags that should be cast directly into the building’s exposed concrete wall, visible throughout every floor of Neustädtische-Kirchstrasse 4-5, Berlin ... read more

First prize winner for “Prana”, public art project for Kopernikus-Oberschule, Berlin

May 1, 2017

“Prana” is a mysterious-looking ensemble of elements spread throughout three floors of the new Kopernikus-Oberschule in Berlin. These abstract forms that begin to consume the spaces are inspired by historical events, geography, and literature, subjects that are highlighted in the school’s curriculum. ... read more

“Declared”, solo exhibition and lecture, 2025 e.v. (Aktion #152), Hamburg

November 25, 2016

Presentation and lecture for “Miami Gun” sculpture, built from both a real .357 Magnum and its toy version during von Bergen’s brief stay at Fountainhead artist residency in Miami, Florida. Excerpt: “Project in response to the unsettling availability and social acceptance of gun ownership in this region of The United States.” ... read more

Slide lecture at Fisher Studio, Bard College, New York

October 18, 2016

Slide lecture and discussion on how the artist’s practice has developed over the past two decades. ... read more

“Detail” group exhibition at the BLOK Art Space, Istanbul, Turkey

April 6, 2016

Excerpt from press release: “They say ‘The devil is in the details,’ which ultimately means that even the grandest project depends on the success of the smallest components.” ... read more

BBC Article “How to Ship a Masterpiece” by Kimberly Bradley

May 4, 2015

Writer Kimberly Bradley explores the complexities and challenges of transporting presenting international art in the 21st Century. ... read more

“Black Bandits” group exhibition at Haus am Lützowplatz, Berlin, curated by Marc Wellman

April 24, 2015

Group exhibition with works by Gerhard Richter, Uwe Henneken, Jonathan Meese, and others. Excerpt from press release: “The Prussian war against Napoleon is presented here in a spotlight, with the Lützow Freikorps, Berlin's city history as well as art and artists of the time being the focus: starting with Napoleon's occupation of Berlin, the beginning of the resistance in Germany, the uprisings in other countries and the history of the Freikorps through to its afterlife in the collective consciousness of the 19th and 20th centuries.” ... read more

“Prey #1” published in New York Times with article on Economist Magnus Resch

January 16, 2015

Article explores the work of Economist, Entrepreneur and Collector Magnus Resch. ... read more

Artist talk with Jonathan Lethem at Alexander Levy Gallery, Berlin

February 21, 2014

From press release: “Jonathan Lethem is the author of Dissident Gardens and eight other novels, as well as several collections of stories and essays. His writing about artists includes contributions to catalogs by Julian Hoeber, Charles Long, Matthew Ritchie, Fred Tomaselli, and several others. Lethem lives between Los Angeles and Maine, and is a current Fellow at The American Academy in Berlin.” ... read more

John von Bergen at Alexander Levy – From Wall Fragments to Civilizations to the Psyche

January 18, 2014

Years ago, I attended a discussion in which two curators argued about John von Bergen's oeuvre. One saw his work as reactionary, while the other, unfortunately with little argument, rejected this claim. Rightly so. Hardly any contemporary sculptor expresses such raw violence in an almost abstract language, far beyond the place the work seems bound to. ... read more

“Prey Voidant” solo exhibition at Alexander Levy Gallery, Berlin

January 18, 2014

From press release: “Jacque Lacan’s description of a Pascalian void functions almost like a perfect description of this exhibition: ‘This void does not at all interest us theoretically. For us it has almost no more sense. We know that in the vacuum can still be produced knots, solids, packets of waves, and everything you want.’ In Warped Space (2000, M.I.T. Press), the architect Anthony Vidler reacts to Lacan’s statement by saying ‘that it is what the void can hold, and its continuous propensity to inspire horror… all representations of anxiety and horror in the face of the void…’.” ... read more

“CORE”, Monograph published by Kerber Verlag / d.a.p.

January 17, 2014

116 page hardcover monograph surveys decades of drawing, sculpture and installation work. Texts by Dr. Heinz Stahlhut, Kimberly Bradley, Arsalan Mohammad in German / English. ... read more

“Chronic Nr. 2” acquisition for Berlinische Galerie, Berlin

August 1, 2013

Acquisition arranged by The Funding Commision of Berlin’s Senate Department of Culture ... read more

INVENTARIO 07 “Everything is a Project”, Carraini Edizioni, Milan

January 1, 2013

Contributing image: “Chase”, 2007. Excerpt from publication; “Mariana Siracusa tells us how artists and designers have managed and reinterpreted a rational space: the corner, which in itself is not very welcoming.” ... read more

“Post-Hyper” solo exhibition at Galeria Pilar, São Paulo

October 23, 2012

From press release: "Some artists create ways to represent things that we see, others work out events that are symbolic, externalized and free of content. What John von Bergen creates does not fit into any of these situations, but rather offers some link between the perception of reality, its own representation of the visible world." – Henrique Oliveira ... read more

“FUZZY DARK SPOT” group exhibition at Raum für Zweckfreiheit, Berlin, curated by Wolfgang Oelze

September 23, 2011

From press release: “Popular beliefs, cinematic exaggerations, absurd mental models, enigmatically combined fragments, dissolving objects, and ruinous landscapes are the objects of exploration in this exhibition.” ... read more

“Shifting The Everyday”, group exhibition at Galerie Levy, Berlin

July 9, 2011

From Berlin Art Link: “Somewhat common subject matter is deliberately chosen and thoughtfully skewed in a way that provokes the viewer to revisit the notion of perception and its malleable nature.” ... read more

“a painting show”, group exhibition at Autocenter, Berlin, curated by Aaron Moulton

April 21, 2011

Group show with Lawrence Wiener, Michael Heizer, Mark Flood, and others… From Berlin Art Link: “Moulton presented a wide variation of work, challenging the conventions of the idea of painting. With everything from installation and video to (of course) painting, the opening was overflowing with fresh ideas and future collaborators.” ... read more

Studio Visit with Berlin Art Link

April 14, 2011

Excerpt from article: “The usually neutral and austere white wall of the space was transformed into an almost antagonistic force – one defying physics, logic and reality.” ... read more

BOMB Magazine Interview

April 11, 2011

Sculptor and installation artist John von Bergen pulls the emotional and cerebral trigger. Samuel Jablon interviews him here re: site-transience, urban claustrophobia, and the so-called “honesty of materiality.” ... read more

“The Ear of Giacometti”, group exhibition at LEVY Gallery, Hamburg

November 1, 2010

Group show with Damien Hirst, Alberto Giacometti, Meret Oppenheimer, and others. From Press Release: “In celebration of the 40th anniversary of LEVY Gallery we are delighted to present a show curated by Belinda Grace Gardner. The exhibition is loosely based on the Exposition surréaliste d’objets, which in turn is reminiscent of the curio cabinets highly popular in Europe during the Baroque and subsequent eras.” ... read more

John von Bergen at Smack Mellon – InBrooklyn

May 1, 2010

"Whip Lash,' Berlin-based American artist John von Bergen's striking installation, incorporates the metal pillars in the main gallery of Smack Mellon Gallery. ... read more

John von Bergen / Michelle Weinstein at Smack Mellon – Modern Painters

May 1, 2010

Michelle Weinstein's and installation artist John von Bergen's concurrent solo exhibitions exist together under the soaring roof of the DUMBo gallery Smack Mellon, located in the neighborhood's former boiler building. Although the two shows are separate, the works speak beautifully to one another. ... read more

“Amsterdam-Berlin” group exhibition at De Service Garage, Amsterdam, curated by Frank Amerlaan

April 24, 2010

“An exhibition, with lectures and presentations that will focus on the energy and dynamics of Berlin, looking critically at the art worlds of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities.” Featuring Arturo Herrera, Marc Bijl, Tjebbe Beekman, and others. ... read more

“Whip Lash” solo exhibition at the Smack Mellon, New York

January 16, 2010

From press release: “Situated within Smack Mellon's cavernous industrial space, von Bergen's installation draws attention to the vast white wall by imagining the results of a violent interaction within the gallery.” ... read more

“SOOTO hungry” solo exhibition at the Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin

October 24, 2009

From press release: “For his sculpture, von Bergen replaces the human form with what first appear as strangely twisted and morphed machine parts, which upon closer inspection reveal themselves as transformed casts of a table-saw.” ... read more

“Octet”, selected works from the School of Visual Arts, group exhibition at Pera Museum, Istanbul, curated by Suzanne Anker and Peter Hristoff

August 13, 2009

From press release: “An exhibition of 111 artworks, which showcase painting, drawing, sculpture, installation, photography and the digital arts, created by faculty, alumni and students of the Fine Arts Department at the School of Visual Arts in New York City.” Artists include Lynda Benglis, Judith Linhares, Lucio Pozzi, and others ... read more

“The Battle For Berlin”, Manhattan Magazine, by Kimberlin Bradley

December 1, 2008

Interviews with Laurie De Chiara, David Levine, Emilie Trice about moving to Berlin ... read more

Slide lecture at School of Visual Arts, New York

November 26, 2008

Slide lecture and discussion on how the artist’s work has developed in Berlin over the past years, and how this practice began as a student at School of Visual Arts. ... read more

“Kunst und Wirtschaft”, Genius Hellerau, Dresden

September 1, 2008

Text, models, publication, exhibition and public lecture all in response to a project invitation by Dresden-based artist group REINIGUNGSGESELLSCHAFT. ... read more

John von Bergen at Zentralwerk, Dresden – Konsumentenaller Länder, vereinigteuch!

June 15, 2008

The artist John von Bergen, born in Connecticut/USA in 1971, translated an interview with the CEO of the Dresden Karstadt department store, Wolfgang Wirz, into a small, biting installation. The dismantled honeycomb structures of the old GDR department store serve as capsules for cloning employees with all the many desired abilities. ... read more

“THE ITCH”, solo exhibition at Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin

September 7, 2007

Excerpt from Tagesspiegel article: “You have to be willing to endure irritating things, and John von Bergen doesn't make it easy for you.” (Orig. in German: “Irritierendes muss man aushalten wollen, und John von Bergen macht es einem nicht leicht.”) – Thea Herold ... read more

“Niveaualarm”, group exhibition at Kunstraum Innsbruck, Innsbruck, curated by Ulrich Wulff

July 20, 2007

Participating artists include Alicja Kwade, Gregor Hildebrandt, Thomas Zipp, and others. ... read more

Westdeutsche Zeitung, Düsseldorfer Kultur,

September 9, 2006

Das Quadriennale-Thema spielt auch beim Rundgang durch die Galerien eine Rolle. Er offenbart senslble_Zeichenkunst und sch~äge Beobachntngsgabe. John,von Bergenlegt zwei über- lange, undefinierbare Trommel-. Formen auf den Boden der Gale- rie Schmela. Zugleich hängen an den Wänden graue, in Kunststoff abgegossene Objekte, Imitati<r nen:· alter DDR-Schalter, deren originale Funktion nicht mehr nachvQllziehbar ist. ... read more

“SUBLIMATOR”, solo exhibition at Galerie Schmela, Düsseldorf

September 1, 2006

Excerpt from press release: “Moment of transition, the gradual change between the known and the unknown, the representational, the physical and the abstract, are the main aspects of John von Bergen's work.” ... read more

“Abstract art now – floating forms”, group exhibition at Wilhelm Hack Museum, Ludwigshafen, curated by Dr. Ulrike Lehmann

May 23, 2006

Excerpt from press release: “Using selected positions, the aim is to focus on the current forms of expression in abstract art and to enable dialogues between the works.” (Orig. in German: Anhand ausgewählter Positionen soll der Blick auf die aktuellen Ausdrucksformen abstrakter Kunst gerichtet und Dialoge zwischen den Werken ermöglicht werden.) Participating artists include Wolfgang Tillmanns, Thomas Ruff, and others. ... read more

“New Home For Art”, Katja Winckler, Deutschland Magazine

May 1, 2006

Excerpt: “John von Bergen has been in Berlin for two-and-a-half years and the city has become his home.” ... read more

“UFO-UMIS”, solo exhibition at Galerie Lena Brüning, Berlin

November 21, 2005

Excerpt from press release: “How the drawings are made remain somewhat of a mystery, though we know the original object is sculpted form an ‘inorganic’ material, photographed, and finally realized with pencil on paper, magnified through each stage. Despite this strong craft-oriented process, the works carry a mechanical coldness that supports their menacing appearance.” ... read more

“Passion des Sammelns”, group exhibition, the collection of Rik Reinking, Halle 14, Leipzig

May 1, 2005

Excerpt from press release: “Discussion about the importance of private art collections in our culture, the social background of collecting activities and the often very personal and productive exchange between artist and collector.” Participating artists include Bjørn Melhus, Nevin Aladağ, and others. ... read more

“Pathetischer Betrug”, group exhibition at Art Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, curated by Ludwig Seyfarth and Dr. Nina Koidl

April 29, 2005

Excerpt from press release: “‘Pathetic Fallacy – Romantic Atmospheres and States of Matter’ presents works by 19 artists who open up spaces of fiction, draw diverse inspiration from European art history and are not afraid to tell stories in pictures.” ... read more