be körner (be/they) is an artistic researcher working with performative strategies and is currently doing a PhD at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar on madness and artistic exceptionalism.
portrait: Phi Kinon
my work is grounded in and permeated by lived experience. i am interested in moments of transgression, absence, and irritation. from dust to fake smiles, i often work with ephemeral and personal material. through performative strategies, i try to find forms that align with their inner logic. my media include installation, performance, photography, and text.
in my PhD project, i explore dissonances between psychiatric stigma and ideas of madness in artistic creation. i look at shifting configurations of normalcy, as well as dissonant conceptions of madness and the so-called artistic personality.
since 2012, my works have been exhibited internationally in galleries and institutions, for example at Reykjavík Museum of Photography, CCI Fabrika Moscow and Bundeskunsthalle Bonn. i work both as a solo artist and in changing collaborative constellations.
i consider identity not as a stable condition, but as dynamic and relational. as i move through different selves, variables shift. this includes interaction, gender expression, and even names. if you know me or my work by a different name, nevermind: "be" is the one to catch them all.
solo and duo exhibitions (selection)
2024
DER MIXER, Frankfurt
2023
fault lines, Der Laden, Weimar
2020
crisis manual, Förderverein Aktuelle Kunst Münster
2018
there are no trains in iceland, GEDOK en passant Gallery, Leipzig // No Matter How I Wanted To, with Anja Heymann, ENERGIEkombinat, Leipzig
2017
NEST, with Lena Teresa Flohrschütz, intershop interdisziplinaire, Leipzig 2016 Last Year’s Self, curated by Hanin Hannouch, Skotið, Reykjavík Museum of Photography (IS) // Missing Memories, curated by Hanin Hannouch, SÍM gallery, Reykjavík (IS) group exhibitions (selection)
2018
Das Leben der Dinge, curated by Michaela and Georg Schrabeck, Atelierhaus Darmstadt // Corporal Temperature, curated by Vanessa Souli, Pilotenkueche, Leipzig // Space Chorus, curated by Vanessa Souli, Alte Handelsschule, Leipzig // ARRIVED II, Tapetenwerk, Leipzig // ROT ROT ROT, intershop interdisciplinaire, Leipzig // Aufschlagen, Haus des Buches, Leipzig // V, curated by Vincent Rischer and Lukas Troberg, Kunstraum XXY, Berlin
2017
Überlagerungen, boesner Projektraum, Leipzig // Lost in Transition, curated by Julia Reichelt and Michaela Schrabeck, Kunstforum Darmstadt and Atelierhaus Darmstadt // Nordbecken Festival, Karlsruhe // Paperjam, Playhouse, Norwich (UK)
2016
vermeintlich anders, Konglomerat Leipzig // Hidden in a valley beside an open stream - This will be the type of place where you will find your dream, project space Im Hinterzimmer, Karlsruhe // Karlsruhe - Transfer, Krasnodar Regional Museum (RU) // Presence and Nature, Biblioteca Viva Egaña, Santiago de Chile (CL)
2015
Að bjarga heiminum Verksmiðjan á Hjalteyri (IS) // Höhenluft #10 - Let's come together, right now, oh yeah, in sweet harmony, Kunstverein Wilhelmshöhe, Ettlingen // Diagrammatic exhibition: lying – sitting – standing – walking – jumping – flying/falling – carrying: what the human is doing and how, curated by Boris Nieslony, Künstlerforum Bonn
2014
ÜBERSEE, sound of mu, Oslo (NO) // Fljótstunga Artistic Residency (IS) // Kanill, SÍM salurinn, Reykjavík (IS)
2013
K, exhibition-conference-hybrid, Karlsruhe // Kunststudentinnen und Kunststudenten stellen aus, Federal Art Contest, Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn // Ja.Aber, festival Frauenperspektiven, Karlsruhe // Quartier, Orgelfabrik, Karlsruhe
2012
TOP 12, Städtische Galerie Karlsruhe // Achter de Ramen, Amsterdam (NL)
2011
Höhenluft1, Kunstverein Wilhelmshöhe, Ettlingen // zweifellos-Zwischenträger, Bauhausvilla Gellertstraße, Karlsruhe // Doppelzimmer, with Aleschija Seibt, poly produzentengalerie, Karlsruhe
performances
2022
tear soup, with Nadja Kracunovic
2020
Das Lächeln ist falsch, with Constanze Zacharias, Förderverein Aktuelle Kunst Münster // Praxis Doktor Kunst, with Lisa Tschorn, B-Side Festival Münster // tipping points, Kunsthaus R3 Ansbach
2019
we need to talk about crisis, Nordbecken Festival, Karlsruhe // Praxis Doktor Kunst, with Lisa Tschorn, Förderverein Aktuelle Kunst Münster
2018
Book of Secrets, Alte Handelsschule/Pilotenkueche Leipzig // LASH####, with Anitbody Corporation, intershop interdisciplinaire, Leipzig // Dark Impulse, with Gyða Hrund Þorvaldsdóttir, Tapetenwerk/intershop interdisciplinaire, Leipzig // privilege, Der Engel von Sibirien — Elsa Brändström, Tapetenwerk, Leipzig
2017
falling for a stranger / tear, I Owe You Some Pie, projektraum pool, Karlsruhe // transplant, forming inattention: getting lost, PAErsche, Museumsbahnsteig Oberhausen // falling for a stranger, Pioneers in sound and space, Kaluza-Klein-Kollektiv, Philippuskirche Leipzig // tipping point (Herr, brich mir das Genick im Sturz von einer Bierbank), moments to gather, Kunstverein gegenwart and KUB Gallery, Leipzig
2016
moulting, Karlsruhe - Transfer, Krasnodar Regional Museum (RU) // moulting, CCI FABRIKA, Moscow (RU)
2015
string theory / string practise, Borgarnes (IS) // lecture, Let's come together, right now, oh yeah, in sweet harmony, Kunstverein Wilhelmshöhe, Ettlingen
2013
lecture, K exhibition-conference-hybrid, Karlsruhe // 100 years of sleep, Anthropozänta art festival, Helmbrechts // lecture, tælandi tabú, feminist performance event, Reykjavík (IS)
2012
100 years of sleep, REGIONALE 13: ANDERNORTS, EWERK, Freiburg
2024
DER MIXER, Frankfurt
2023
fault lines, Der Laden, Weimar
2020
crisis manual, Förderverein Aktuelle Kunst Münster
2018
there are no trains in iceland, GEDOK en passant Gallery, Leipzig // No Matter How I Wanted To, with Anja Heymann, ENERGIEkombinat, Leipzig
2017
NEST, with Lena Teresa Flohrschütz, intershop interdisziplinaire, Leipzig 2016 Last Year’s Self, curated by Hanin Hannouch, Skotið, Reykjavík Museum of Photography (IS) // Missing Memories, curated by Hanin Hannouch, SÍM gallery, Reykjavík (IS) group exhibitions (selection)
2018
Das Leben der Dinge, curated by Michaela and Georg Schrabeck, Atelierhaus Darmstadt // Corporal Temperature, curated by Vanessa Souli, Pilotenkueche, Leipzig // Space Chorus, curated by Vanessa Souli, Alte Handelsschule, Leipzig // ARRIVED II, Tapetenwerk, Leipzig // ROT ROT ROT, intershop interdisciplinaire, Leipzig // Aufschlagen, Haus des Buches, Leipzig // V, curated by Vincent Rischer and Lukas Troberg, Kunstraum XXY, Berlin
2017
Überlagerungen, boesner Projektraum, Leipzig // Lost in Transition, curated by Julia Reichelt and Michaela Schrabeck, Kunstforum Darmstadt and Atelierhaus Darmstadt // Nordbecken Festival, Karlsruhe // Paperjam, Playhouse, Norwich (UK)
2016
vermeintlich anders, Konglomerat Leipzig // Hidden in a valley beside an open stream - This will be the type of place where you will find your dream, project space Im Hinterzimmer, Karlsruhe // Karlsruhe - Transfer, Krasnodar Regional Museum (RU) // Presence and Nature, Biblioteca Viva Egaña, Santiago de Chile (CL)
2015
Að bjarga heiminum Verksmiðjan á Hjalteyri (IS) // Höhenluft #10 - Let's come together, right now, oh yeah, in sweet harmony, Kunstverein Wilhelmshöhe, Ettlingen // Diagrammatic exhibition: lying – sitting – standing – walking – jumping – flying/falling – carrying: what the human is doing and how, curated by Boris Nieslony, Künstlerforum Bonn
2014
ÜBERSEE, sound of mu, Oslo (NO) // Fljótstunga Artistic Residency (IS) // Kanill, SÍM salurinn, Reykjavík (IS)
2013
K, exhibition-conference-hybrid, Karlsruhe // Kunststudentinnen und Kunststudenten stellen aus, Federal Art Contest, Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn // Ja.Aber, festival Frauenperspektiven, Karlsruhe // Quartier, Orgelfabrik, Karlsruhe
2012
TOP 12, Städtische Galerie Karlsruhe // Achter de Ramen, Amsterdam (NL)
2011
Höhenluft1, Kunstverein Wilhelmshöhe, Ettlingen // zweifellos-Zwischenträger, Bauhausvilla Gellertstraße, Karlsruhe // Doppelzimmer, with Aleschija Seibt, poly produzentengalerie, Karlsruhe
performances
2022
tear soup, with Nadja Kracunovic
2020
Das Lächeln ist falsch, with Constanze Zacharias, Förderverein Aktuelle Kunst Münster // Praxis Doktor Kunst, with Lisa Tschorn, B-Side Festival Münster // tipping points, Kunsthaus R3 Ansbach
2019
we need to talk about crisis, Nordbecken Festival, Karlsruhe // Praxis Doktor Kunst, with Lisa Tschorn, Förderverein Aktuelle Kunst Münster
2018
Book of Secrets, Alte Handelsschule/Pilotenkueche Leipzig // LASH####, with Anitbody Corporation, intershop interdisciplinaire, Leipzig // Dark Impulse, with Gyða Hrund Þorvaldsdóttir, Tapetenwerk/intershop interdisciplinaire, Leipzig // privilege, Der Engel von Sibirien — Elsa Brändström, Tapetenwerk, Leipzig
2017
falling for a stranger / tear, I Owe You Some Pie, projektraum pool, Karlsruhe // transplant, forming inattention: getting lost, PAErsche, Museumsbahnsteig Oberhausen // falling for a stranger, Pioneers in sound and space, Kaluza-Klein-Kollektiv, Philippuskirche Leipzig // tipping point (Herr, brich mir das Genick im Sturz von einer Bierbank), moments to gather, Kunstverein gegenwart and KUB Gallery, Leipzig
2016
moulting, Karlsruhe - Transfer, Krasnodar Regional Museum (RU) // moulting, CCI FABRIKA, Moscow (RU)
2015
string theory / string practise, Borgarnes (IS) // lecture, Let's come together, right now, oh yeah, in sweet harmony, Kunstverein Wilhelmshöhe, Ettlingen
2013
lecture, K exhibition-conference-hybrid, Karlsruhe // 100 years of sleep, Anthropozänta art festival, Helmbrechts // lecture, tælandi tabú, feminist performance event, Reykjavík (IS)
2012
100 years of sleep, REGIONALE 13: ANDERNORTS, EWERK, Freiburg
publications
2020
LUX19: Frauenarbeit - Korrespondenzen, Published by Künstlergut Prösitz in halbton. Verlag und Redaktion für bildende Kunst // Nordbeckenkollektiv, catalogue accompanying the exhibition at Kunsthaus R3, edited by Tobias Talbot
2018
Das Leben der Dinge, catalogue accompanying the exhibition, edited by Atelierhaus Darmstadt
2017
Lost in Transition. Vom Flüchtigen, Ephemeren, catalogue accompanying the exhibition, edited by Julia Reichelt and Michaela Schrabeck, Darmstadt // Kalbenser Fliegenklatsche, edition 03. magazine, edited by Marko Kühnel, Kalbe
2015
Horror Vacui, artist book, self-published, Reykjavík // Höhenluft #10. catalogue accompanying the exibition, edited by Kunstverein Wilhelmshöhe Ettlingen
2014
Kalbenser Fliegenklatsche, edition 01, magazine by Marko Kühnel, Kalbe
// khybrid, publication of the K exhibition hybrid, edited by Angela Stiegler and Matthias Numberger
2013
Atlas 2013, catalogue accompanying the Federal Art Competition, Deutsches Studentenwerk // Baden-Württemberg: Ein Ort für junge Künstler? Eine Studie im Auftrag des Kunstbüros der Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg, Kunstbüro der Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart. ISBN 978-3-932679-16-2 // Proxyserver, online publication by Lena Teresa Flohrschütz and Patrick Amelie Becker
2012
TOP 12. Meisterschüler der Staatlichen Akademie Bildenden Künste Karlsruhe, Publishing House Das Wunderhorn, Heidelberg. ISBN 978-3884234174
2011
FORMATIONEN I catalogue documentation of the project by Sara Wahl
2010
PROJEKT NECKARSTEINACH anthology of the Neckarsteinach project space
projects and memberships
since 2019
Doktor Kunst / Praxis Doktor Kunst (performance project and podcast, with Lisa Tschorn)
2018-2020
LUX19: Frauenarbeit (organisation and concept, with Yvonne Kalinna)
since 2017
member of the Federation of Visual Artists Leipzig (BBKL)
2017-2020
member of GEDOK Women Artists Association Central Germany (GEDOK-Gruppe Mitteldeutschland) / elected board member from 2017-2019
2013-2016
member of the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists (SÍM)
2013
stop/pause/play magazine (founder and publisher)
2011-2012
elected member of the General Student's Committee (AStA) and senate member at the Academy of Fine Arts, Karlsruhe // UND7 - Platform for Art Initiatives, Karlsruhe (concept and organisation, with Simon Pfeffel) // Frau Freitag performance festival, Karlsruhe (organisation)
2020
LUX19: Frauenarbeit - Korrespondenzen, Published by Künstlergut Prösitz in halbton. Verlag und Redaktion für bildende Kunst // Nordbeckenkollektiv, catalogue accompanying the exhibition at Kunsthaus R3, edited by Tobias Talbot
2018
Das Leben der Dinge, catalogue accompanying the exhibition, edited by Atelierhaus Darmstadt
2017
Lost in Transition. Vom Flüchtigen, Ephemeren, catalogue accompanying the exhibition, edited by Julia Reichelt and Michaela Schrabeck, Darmstadt // Kalbenser Fliegenklatsche, edition 03. magazine, edited by Marko Kühnel, Kalbe
2015
Horror Vacui, artist book, self-published, Reykjavík // Höhenluft #10. catalogue accompanying the exibition, edited by Kunstverein Wilhelmshöhe Ettlingen
2014
Kalbenser Fliegenklatsche, edition 01, magazine by Marko Kühnel, Kalbe
// khybrid, publication of the K exhibition hybrid, edited by Angela Stiegler and Matthias Numberger
2013
Atlas 2013, catalogue accompanying the Federal Art Competition, Deutsches Studentenwerk // Baden-Württemberg: Ein Ort für junge Künstler? Eine Studie im Auftrag des Kunstbüros der Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg, Kunstbüro der Kunststiftung Baden-Württemberg, Stuttgart. ISBN 978-3-932679-16-2 // Proxyserver, online publication by Lena Teresa Flohrschütz and Patrick Amelie Becker
2012
TOP 12. Meisterschüler der Staatlichen Akademie Bildenden Künste Karlsruhe, Publishing House Das Wunderhorn, Heidelberg. ISBN 978-3884234174
2011
FORMATIONEN I catalogue documentation of the project by Sara Wahl
2010
PROJEKT NECKARSTEINACH anthology of the Neckarsteinach project space
projects and memberships
since 2019
Doktor Kunst / Praxis Doktor Kunst (performance project and podcast, with Lisa Tschorn)
2018-2020
LUX19: Frauenarbeit (organisation and concept, with Yvonne Kalinna)
since 2017
member of the Federation of Visual Artists Leipzig (BBKL)
2017-2020
member of GEDOK Women Artists Association Central Germany (GEDOK-Gruppe Mitteldeutschland) / elected board member from 2017-2019
2013-2016
member of the Association of Icelandic Visual Artists (SÍM)
2013
stop/pause/play magazine (founder and publisher)
2011-2012
elected member of the General Student's Committee (AStA) and senate member at the Academy of Fine Arts, Karlsruhe // UND7 - Platform for Art Initiatives, Karlsruhe (concept and organisation, with Simon Pfeffel) // Frau Freitag performance festival, Karlsruhe (organisation)
grants and residencies
2022
Kreativfonds, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
2018
Local Participant, 36th Round of the International Art Program Pilotenkueche, Leipzig
2017 Grant by the Cultural Fond Frankfurt RheinMain, Merck KGaA, Carlo and Karin Giersch Foundation, City of Science Darmstadt, Sparkasse Darmstadt, Darmstädter Förderkreis Kultur e.V. for the exhibition and catologue "Lost in Transition"
2016 Grant by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Education and the Arts, by the GEDOK artist association and the Cultural Office of the City of Karlsruhe for the exhibition "Karlsruhe - Transfer" 2015 Artist in Residence, Künstlerstadt Kalbe
2014 Artist in Residence, Fljótstunga (IS)
Grant by the Cultural Office of the City of Karlsruhe for "stop/pause/play magazine" and the "Quartier" exhibition project 2012 Grant by the Cultural Office of the City of Karlsruhe for "UND7 - Platform for Art Initiatives" // Grant by the Cultural Office of the City of Karlsruhe and State Academy of Fine Arts for the "Frau Freitag" performance festival 2010 ERASMUS scholar, Norwich University of the Arts (UK)
education
since 2018
PhD candidate (PhD Program Art and Design / Fine Art) at Bauhaus University Weimar
2011-2012
Meisterschülerin (postgraduate student) of Prof. Toon Verhoef, Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe
2011
Guest student in the Moving Image class of Prof. Isaac Julien, Academy of Design Karlsruhe (HfG) // Guest student in the sculpture department at Norwich University of the Arts (UK)
2006-2011
Studies in Fine Art (Diploma) at Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe
2005-2006
Studies in European Art History and German Language, University of Heidelberg
2022
Kreativfonds, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar
2018
Local Participant, 36th Round of the International Art Program Pilotenkueche, Leipzig
2017 Grant by the Cultural Fond Frankfurt RheinMain, Merck KGaA, Carlo and Karin Giersch Foundation, City of Science Darmstadt, Sparkasse Darmstadt, Darmstädter Förderkreis Kultur e.V. for the exhibition and catologue "Lost in Transition"
2016 Grant by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Education and the Arts, by the GEDOK artist association and the Cultural Office of the City of Karlsruhe for the exhibition "Karlsruhe - Transfer" 2015 Artist in Residence, Künstlerstadt Kalbe
2014 Artist in Residence, Fljótstunga (IS)
Grant by the Cultural Office of the City of Karlsruhe for "stop/pause/play magazine" and the "Quartier" exhibition project 2012 Grant by the Cultural Office of the City of Karlsruhe for "UND7 - Platform for Art Initiatives" // Grant by the Cultural Office of the City of Karlsruhe and State Academy of Fine Arts for the "Frau Freitag" performance festival 2010 ERASMUS scholar, Norwich University of the Arts (UK)
education
since 2018
PhD candidate (PhD Program Art and Design / Fine Art) at Bauhaus University Weimar
2011-2012
Meisterschülerin (postgraduate student) of Prof. Toon Verhoef, Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe
2011
Guest student in the Moving Image class of Prof. Isaac Julien, Academy of Design Karlsruhe (HfG) // Guest student in the sculpture department at Norwich University of the Arts (UK)
2006-2011
Studies in Fine Art (Diploma) at Academy of Fine Arts Karlsruhe
2005-2006
Studies in European Art History and German Language, University of Heidelberg