This Time German

Mal zur Abwechslung ein deutscher Post - Übersetzungsvorschläge zum Text sind natürlich willkommen. Dieser Text erschien im Katalog zu " jetzt hier. Gegenwartskunst. Aus dem Kunstfonds " "Jens Besser ist ein international vernetzter Street-Art-Künstler. Sein Atelier ist der öffentliche Raum und sein erklärtes Ziel, mehr Freiraum zu schaffen für die Kunst jenseits der Leinwände und Ausstellungsräume. Er leistet künstlerischen Widerstand gegen den Trend zunehmender Privatisierung, Bürokratisierung und Überwachung und hinterfragt das Kunst-Markt-System ebenso wie das Konsumverhalten. Regelmäßig lädt Besser zu Projekten und Workshops ein, die – nicht selten auch am Rande der Legalität – im Stadtraum, an offiziellen Kunst- und inoffiziell angeeigneten Orten stattfinden und die In- und Outsider des Kunstbetriebs zusammenführen. Die Serie „thoughts between stations and superstores“ umreißt den Bewegungsradius eines Street-Art-Künstlers in Einsatz: zwischen Bahnhöfen und Supermärkten. (Silke Wagler, 2013)"

Interrail Chemistry

"Interrail Chemistry" is a mural for my solo show "Diaries of Interrail" in Berlin. The work is located in the gallery idrawalot . The show runs till 30.3.2013. After the show the work will be painted over.

Interview & Video for Ilovegraffiti.de

Just recently i gave an interview to ilovegraffiti for their series 5 minutes on arte creative. The Video shows videofootages that people send me & which I took in recent years in Dresden and Berlin. I talk about the show conceptual vandalism and my work of collecting non-writing stuff on trains on my trainworks-blog The written interview on ilovegraffiti.de is a bit more detailed but only in German.
A Big Thanks goes out to Rene of ilovegraffiti.de !

"Diaries of Interrail" in Berlin

The official Press release...
"Diaries of Interrail" by Jens Besser in Berlin

On Thursday March 7th, the exhibition " Diaries of Interrail" by Jens Besser opens. It's the first official solo-show in Berlin by the artist. Besser is well know for his urban art projects Muralismo Morte ( 2009/2010), Lak Aan Braak ( 2011) , City Bilder ( 2011/12) or Conceptual Vandalism (2012) this time exhibits his own works.

He shows a series of drawings on tickets and silk screen prints. Besser started this series in 2010 when he received a stipend by the cultural fund of Saxony for his project "Trainwork(er)s - tracing shadows of the night". For the project Besser traveled thorugh south Europa via interrail. He met international train painters and made portrait drawings of them in his own style. On his travel he wrote texts, made sketches and painted walls about the topic of painting trains.

In 2010 he moved mainly through the Balkan area and met artists like "Slow from Beograd" , "Kareem of Sofia" or "Ranzlow". Later he traveled to Italy to meet Aris and continued to Spain to meet Kenor & H101. He visited as well Austria and Czech Republic. The Czech artist Sense Jens Besser met severel times. Portraits of "Sense" been used for silk screen prints "Sense from Otrokovice" in different varieties.

After parts of the show been exhibited in group shows in Montreal, Sofia, Amsterdam, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Dresden now the series is shown for the first time completly in Berlin.

About the artist

Jens Besser finished his studies at the academy of fine arts Dresden in 2008. Since then is an active freelance artist. Official murals by Besser can be found in Santiago de Chile , Oaxaca (MEX) , Sofia (BG), Heerlen (NL) , Hamburg , Leipzig or Dresden e.g. Jens Besser lives in Dresden and works all over Europe.
In 2010 he got a stipend by the cultiural fund of Saxony.
In 2012 the fund of art Saxony bought a series of works by Besser. The works are exhibited till 30th of may in the show " jetzt hier. Gegenwartskunst. aus dem Kunstfonds".

dates of the exhibition

opening: Thursday 7.3.2013 - 7 p.m.
exhibitions runs from 8. till 30. of march 2013
opening times of the gallery: tuesday - Friday 12 a.m.- 6 p.m.,  Wednesday 12a.m. - 9p.m. , Saturday 1p.m. - 6p.m.

adress: Idrawalot - Boddinstrasse 60, 12053 Berlin-Neukölln

"jetzt hier" opening & guided tour

click on the pictures to enlarge
As the youngest participant of the show "jetzt hier. Gegenwartskunst. aus dem Kunstfonds" I'm happy to announce as well the publishing of a well done small catalogue for the show. It's more like a booklet that reminds me on another nice catalogue i had years ago in my hands. Maybe the aim was to make a booklet that fit's into a bag of art collectors and world travelling curators instead of producing another heavy weight book. I really like the idea and the price is fair, too. Only 5€. But the catalogue is not the only thing i like to promote. Today i offer a guided tour in Dresden - Friedrichstadt - to Murals and public interventions in Dresden-Friedrichstadt - feel free to come around - start 4 p.m. - Adlergasse 14 / riesa efau entrance - there is no fee - donations are always welcome ;)

Triple Impact in March

first
At the moment I prepare my upcoming show "Diaries of interrail" in Berlin at idrawalot . The show opens on 7th of march. It's my first official solo show in Berlin. It's the first exhibition where I show the complete series of 19 drawings on international Tickets plus 15 different silkscreen prints. The drawings are portraits of international train painters who i met between 2010 and 2012. Some works of the series i did during of my stipend of cultural fund of saxony in 2010 called "trainwork(er)s - auf den Spuren nächtlicher Schatten". Some drawings of this series were already exhibited in shows in Amsterdam, Sofia, Montreal, Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Dresden.
3 portaits of the series shown at "Diaries of interrail".
"Burnrout by Bureaucracy"picture via SKD
second
Some of my works that have been bought by Kunstfonds Sachsen last year are exhibited in the show "jetzt hier.Gegenwartskunst aus dem Kunstfonds" at Kunsthalle im Lipsiusbau in Dresden. This show runs from 1st of March till 20th of May.

third
And because in general my works are in the street I offer during the show "jetzt hier.Gegenwartskunds aus dem Kunstfonds" an "urban art walk". The walk happens on 2nd of March. Start 4p.m. at Adlergasse 14 - Dresden Friedrichstadt See you In Dresden & Berlin ;)

"Question your consumerism" at "artists fair dresden" for galerie module & IKEA

Last Time i went to galerie module for a talk I was asked by Galerist Verena Andreas ( galerie module Dresden ) If my work " Question your consumerism", done at artists fair dresden for galerie module & IKEA Dresden , is against Ikea. The answer was "No" - but i had to explain the content , even you see it ! The message is directed to the people who don't think about stuff they buy. A company , like IKEA, deuter ( german back packs), lichtblick ( german eco power supply) or whatever is always responsible to their clients. If the clients don't buy stuff of the company, the company is forced to change the startegy. That means, as long as I don' t think about the fact that a backpack of deuter is produced in Vietnam ( written on their website) and I buy a backpack of deuter - i support the strategy of this company. For the work "Question your consumerism" I made some research about the product we painted on. The product is produced in Brazil at a company that has an professional looking website. The pictures i saw, did not show me any anything that i should question. When i visited Brazil , i saw places like this factory, but in general i can say Brazil is a crazy developing country and young people and companies think a lot about ecosystem. The only problem is - they often don't act like they think about - something they have in common with a lot of alternative freaks around the world ;)The only thing people most probably should think about is the long way, the product is delivered. All over the world big ships transport a crazy amount of goods from Place A to B. And we can read where the prodcts come from ( at least in 90% of all cases - some firms don't leave the country of production on the products, wehn they customize a bit at the product and then write instead the own country ). But IKEA wrote the origin of the product "Made in Brazil". On of the big problems around the world is the stupid transportation of products. Every year ships cause desasters in oceans and coastal ecosystems. That's why painted a ship that loses oil in the ocean. But The people want cheap stuff. You can buy stuff produced in Europe , but it costs more. But people don't want to spent more money to something that is ecological. People buy even "eco"-apples from italy or south africa even they have some around the corner in their german home-town.So my message as you can see is not against some big company - it's a message to the people. The final aim of this action for Ikea was to install the works in their store in Dresden. I hope this will happen , because i want the shoppers to think about the stuff they buy everywhere. Not only at IKEA ! That's why to start this discussion at a fair was the best place to promote this Idea. Fairs are places where clients are asked about new products and ne developments. back of the product detail - open source detail - we love trainz , we hate cars

"travelling without moving" - Winter in Friedrichstadt

"travelling without moving" - City Bilder continues ! This work is connected to the work boiling ideas. Both works are painted in passages that connect noisy main streets with a calm backyards. They are kind of a passages where you feel like in a world of between, of nowhere , of another space. The roof is painted , too. I can get the best impressions of these works if you check it out in real - Go there ! The third passage to this backyard is painted by - JBAK. Both are part of City Bilder - an ongoing mural project in Dresden-Friedrichstadt.

Christmas as usual / Business as usual

I'm sorry but this post is kind of advertisment for buying nice things to give them away at christmas eve to friends and peple that you like. And because Artists need to survive from selling stuff, not only by teaching at schools and universities, stealing old food from the garbage can ( called dumpster diving ) and air from latin america ( i love it, even it's dirty) - i want to give some advise about places where you can buy some prints and works of mine.

this is one example - "Left traces in Namur" is a limited screen print for the show "Conceptual Vandalism" available in Dresden at Galerie Module or via e-mail. Price: 42€ (unframed) 70€ (framed with passepartout)

in Dresden - galerie module sells prints, original drawings (framed and ready to take away) anf the new Conceptual Vandalism shirts

in Berlin - idrawalot sells prints of mine - not framed but ready to take away ;)

all over the world - via e-mail


- in some stores in Dresden (Büchers Best, Chamäleon,Supreme ) you can even find some of my recent designed shirts for conceptual vandalism show or publications like "muralismo morte". You can buy stuff as well at the conceptual vandalism show during events like the videoscreeing of spraymasters and the lecture of the spanish artist and teacher Javier Abarca

Building up "Conceptual Vandalism"

First Photos of the build up of "Conceptual Vandalism" - exhibition at motorenhalle Dresden. " 90% photography 4% used materials 2% Video and 4 % ??? this is what conceptual Vandalism looks like - opening this friday 8 .pm. - motorenhalle Dresden more Infos here. Don't miss this show and the side events - all infos on anartchy.com

Boiling Ideas

I new work for City Bilder done in Dresden Friedrichstadt. Boiling Ideas is a weird work. I just throw a lot of visual information on the wall to cook a painting - that's why it s called boiling ideas, same difficult procedure like boiling eggs ;)

Sichtbetong 2012

This is a mural at this year edition of "Sichtbetong - Wandmaltage". A mural together with mexican painter Benuz.

presentation "RAUM City Bilder - Kunst auf Brandwänden" catalogue

german press text : "2500 Quadratmeter bemalte Wandfläche, 18 Künstler, aus 9 Ländern - das Ergebnis von "RAUM City Bilder - Kunst auf Brandwänden" kann sich sehen lassen. Die Friedrichstadt wurde binnen eines Jahres um 10 großformartige Murals reicher und ist Europas "großformatigste" Galerie unter freiem Himmel für Zusammenarbeiten der Urban Art. Jens Besser lud dazu internationale Künstler u.a. aus Kanada, USA, Italien, Spanien oder Bulgarien ein. Die Künstler schufen innerhalb weniger Tage Wandbilder in intensiver Zusammenarbeit. Die Stilvielfalt zeigt einen Überblick über zeitgenössische Wandmalerei - von abstrakt über comichaft bis gegenständlich. Um dem Projekt einen gebürtigen Abschluss zu geben, wird am 12.10. der begleitende Katalog in der Dresdner Motorenhalle präsentiert. Jens Besser, Kurator und Künstler im Projekt, stellt die Wände und ihre Künstler in Wort und Bild vor. Dieses Projekt wird aus Mitteln der Europäischen Union und der Landeshauptstadt Dresden gefördert und ist in Kooperation mit dem riesa efau. Kultur Forum Dresden entstanden." place: Motorenhalle date: Friday - 12.10.2012 start: 8p.m. / 20:00 Uhr

Geometric Playground

Geometric Playground is an experimental mix up drawing by using geometrical forms and some items of my sketched repertoire. I used an public holiday to paint and make a bbq with friends in a nice abandoned area. Unfortunatly lots of geocachers thought this day is perfect to find some caches in this abandoned area.More pictures of this work you can find on my photostream.

Next Dates

Well before i forget to post it: Next week opens the show "hidden publics" at motorenhalle Dresden. Part of this exhibition are 6 photos of paintings i did on my travels in latin america and europe. Stuff on rotten surfaces or in abandoned buildings, some flix are unpublished works. The show focuses on photography which deals with hidden places and hidden subjects in public space. Opening - Wednesday - 5th September - 8 p.m.

8th Sept. - Theatre Fest - opening of the next season - Live Drawing ( start 6 p.m.) for "The Threepenny Opera" at Postplatz Dresden

 14th Sept. - Premiere of "The Threepenny Opera" - with live writing & drawing - Staatsschauspiel Dresden


 12th October - Presentation of "City Images - collaborative Muralism" - catalogue

Grosser Waggon

"Grosser Waggon" ( eng. "big wagon") is a recent Mural i did at Aerosol Arena Magdeburg. The title refers to the asterism "the Big Dipper" which is called in german " the big car". Some press news about this action here.

Just another nightshift - poster in the streets of Dresden

It s a work of the series " just another nightshift" i did in 2010. Finally I found a nice spot next to the trainline and near a passenger train yard.

Screen print for "Conceptual Vandalism" show in Dresden

Self made Posters done completly without photoshopping and co. for the November show of urban script continues - - "Conceptual Vandalism"

Countryside Rhythm

Small mural (2,5m to 2m) in countryside of northern Saxony at Stroga-Festival. Stroga is in the north os Großenhain. An area muche influenced by agriculture. But at the same time Großenhain had one of the biggest air bases of eastern germany since the 1930's. After the changes they had the crazy plan to change this air base into an transport airport. They thought Dresden airport will be to small.Then the airport of Dresden expanded. Till today the Dresden Airport has much capacity and Großenhain Airport is just an empty field for rabbits and foxes. In the furture the agriculture will still dominate the area - and Festivals like Storga as well. Thanx Abu ( waterlounge crew ) for the Invitation and the nice time over there. ps: to go to Stroga Festival area you just need to take the train from Dresden - and within 50 minutes you are there. Don't forget to take your bike. there are 2 km of a ride from the Station of Zabeltitz to Stroga on a quite countryside road.

Street Print - exhibition opening

This sunday (3rd June) the collaborative exhibition "Street Print" opens in Dresden. Participating artists are Xpome, 140 ideas, Tika and me. It's the first event of urban script continues 2012 - the scientific lessons in Dresden. On 7th of June urban script continues with lectures by Valeri Gyurov about "Graffiti in Sofia" and my "Latin american muraldiary" .

Opening of the show is at 3p.m.
@ galerie modul / Kunsthalle Dresden Königsbrücker Strasse 96 /Halle 7c

Short Traveldiary

painting the "veetunnel"- This is prime painting in a tunnel formely used for cows. It's a beautiful spot in the countryside of netherlands. Total opposite atmosphere from my recent works in Cities like Santiago de Chile, Sofia or Dresden. Sometimes people pass by with dogs or kids and we have a relaxed smalltalk. a bigger flick here ps : I still look for a place, where i should leave a work just with these abstract forms.

Snake Train Collaboration - This is a smooth wall in chic bar in sofia. Valeri Gyurov invited us ( Shunzan & me ) to paint there. It was a nice job. Relaxed, tasty food and finally good music -from Valeri's mp3 palyer . bigger picture here

Mezdra 2011 (Cyanotype Drawing) - Last year Bozhidar Asenov took some pictures on a trip with friends. He finally developed some photos in cyanotypes. I made drawings over some of them. This on is called "Mezdra 2011" - Mezdra is a town in the north of Sofia, where we passed by on our trip - bigger picture here. Some comparable works you can find till 31st of May at the show nightshift in Sofia .

usc2012 - "nightshift" - exhbition in Sofia

"urban script continues 2012 - the scientific lessons" starts ! The show " nightshift" of Bozhidar Asenov and me @ hip hip atelier Sofia is the first event of usc 2012.

The opening of the show is on 11th of May 7p.m.
The show runs till 31st of May
adress : Knyaz Boris Street 166

 urban script continues 2012 - happens in different locations in Dresden ( Germany) and Sofia ( Bulgaria). There are lectures, exhibitions and Muralpaintings. A block course of lectures and city walks happens from 13th till 16th of may in Dresden.

 Guided City Tours to City Bilder Murals with me happen on 15th and 16th of may 3 p.m.

 All Infos you can find online from 8th of may.

 urban script continues 2012 is supported by : Goethe Institut Sofia & Landeshauptstadt Dresden - Amt für Kultur- und Denkmalschutz

"The other side" in Usti Nad Labem

The recently opened show "the other side" moves to Usti nad Labem . Opening 7th may - 6p.m. - Fokus Kafe - Prokopa Divise 5, Usti nad Labem

Day & Night - for City Bilder Dresden

This is the other side around for City Bilder . Two walls, Two styles One person. The work is about "Day and Night". Just some experiences and thoughts. I finished my first huge solo (double)mural in Dresden Friedrichstadt. For each wall I had only 2 days. 2 days for transparent primer, primery paint and details. It was an crazy competion and it ended up with muscle ache in my whole body one day after the finishing. some impressions of the work

more pictures of the development of the wall here

The Other Side" - Exhibition in Dresden

Till 29.April i take part in a group show called " the other side". It s a collaborative Show inspired by Alfred Kubins book " The Other Side". We , Viktoria Graf, Zdenek Kveton, Marek Rubec and I , worked on the screenprint show during eastern.
the show is open from 4-8p.m..
Adress. "Runde Ecke" - Wachsbleichstrasse / Adlergasse , Dresden-Friedrichstadt