Art inspires. This is not a new insight, but sometimes this truth presents itself so immediately and personally that one grasps it anew. That is exactly what happened recently at The Gallery of Things. The magnificent goddess paintings by Antonia van Gallenstein, featured in the exhibition 'invisible orders', inspired the writer Bianca Körner to complete a text about Athena and Aphrodite and to present it as part of the reading event 'silence/writing'. For me as a gallerist, this was a moment that shows why the arts and creativity are so inseparably intertwined.

A Poem that transforms colours and forms into language

The poem is titled "Two Goddesses". It is not a commentary on the works — it is an echo. A voice of its own, which found through the artwork a frequency to reach completion. It was simply moving to listen to the words of the author Bianca Körner. These two souls in the poem 'Two Goddesses', who live together, love, fight and weep. To witness the interplay as one goddess took the lead, the inner monologues set against the virtues of the goddesses. But it was also wonderful to look around at the audience and see how they hung on every word, spellbound. The conversations that arose in the subsequent discussion round with the author were interesting and captivating. And so that everyone truly understands what I mean by this, I am delighted to share the poem here with the kind permission of Bianca Körner (the original poem is in German, untranslatable due to its poetic nuance)

Zwei Göttinnen

Bianca Körner
Lesung „schweigen / schreiben“

Zwei Seelen wohnen nicht
in meiner Brust,
nein, in meinem Kopf
herrschten zwei Göttinnen:

Athene.

Sie, die wie ich schon mit
Rüstung
auf die Welt gekommen ist,
bereit gegen alles und
jeden zu kämpfen,
selbst wenn das Kämpfen
nur in unserem Kopf
stattfand.

In meinem Kopf, der jede
zerdachte Nacht, zu ihrem
Tempel wurde.

Und Aphrodite.

Sie, die kleinen Mädchen
wie mir ins Ohr flüsterte,
sie wären wertlos
ohne Mann.

Dass die Liebe, die Ehe, das
Wichtigste wäre
und uns dann alleine ließ,
wenn das Feuer erloschen war,
aber die Ketten fest
geschmiedet.

Athene.

Sie, die den Menschen
Wissen und Weisheit
brachte,
mich lesen ließ und
schreiben,
mich ehrgeizig machte und
strebsam.

Aphrodite.

Sie, die mir in Athenes
Bücherstapel all diese Liebesgeschichten
unterjubelte,
sodass ich schon mit elf
befürchtete,
für immer allein und
ungeliebt zu bleiben.

Meine ganze Jugend war
ein Trainingslager für
diesen Olymp.

Ihre Glaubenssätze, die
mich ein Leben lang
prägten, waren ihre Gebete zu mir:

Aphrodites:
„Ich bin nur etwas wert, wenn ich geliebt werde.“

Athenes:
„Ich bin nur etwas wert, wenn ich besser bin als alle anderen.“

Athene, das erste Pick-Me-Girl,
die Frauen zu Spinnerinnen
erklärte, wenn sie ein anderes Bild
webten als sie,
zwar nicht wie Aphrodite
mit Männern spielen,
aber die Spiele der Männer
mitspielen wollte,
den einzigen Platz am
Tisch, der von der
Frauenquote gedeckt
wurde.

Auch wenn das hieß, dass
Opfer für die Taten von
Tätern bestraft
und selbst Freundinnen zur
Zielscheibe wurden.

Langsamer als Pallas
durch Athenes Schwert
starb die Freundschaft zu
meiner besten Freundin,
nachdem sie und mein
erster Freund
sich in den Hallen nebenan
küssten
und ich ihm den Verrat
verzieh
und ihr nicht.

Aphrodite,

deren Gürtel ich mir enger
schnürte,
deren Schönheit ich in
meinem Spiegel suchte,
deretwegen ich Männer
fand,
die einen Krieg in sich trugen,
deretwegen ich Männer
fand,
die meine beste Freundin küssten.

Sie, die mir die Liebe noch in den giftigsten
Geschichten glorifizierte.

„Wir zwei gegen den Rest der Welt.“

„Ich allein gegen den Rest der Welt.“

Hauptsache kämpfen.

Wenn sie mir jetzt
begegnen, hold lächelnd,
einen goldenen Apfel
zwischen sich haltend,
erkenne ich die alten
Muster auf ihren Stolen.

Durchschaue endlich, dass
ihre Glaubenssätze nur
ihnen helfen,
nicht mir.

Mich selbst priorisieren, mit
Frauen solidarisieren,
sich entromantisieren, Männer
dezentrieren — alles noch
immer ein Prozess, eine
ganze Prozession.

Und solange bete ich zur
Göttin der Jagd,
um keine Jagd mehr auf
Männer oder Frauen zu
machen.

Werde stattdessen zur
Hüterin aller Frauen und
Kinder,
werde ihre Schwester,
werde wild und unzähmbar,
ziehe mich zurück in den
Wald
und lerne mit Pfeil und
Bogen zu schießen
auf unseren wahren Feind.

What does this say about art and creativity

Inspiration does not arise in a vacuum. It develops in the encounter; between a work and a viewer, between an attitude and a question, between what the artists intended and what the viewers make of it. As a Berlin art gallery with a focus on feminist / female, activist and sustainable art, I get to experience this time and again. Our visitors sometimes arrive with a specific intention: whether to buy a painting, see an exhibition, or spend an evening in good company surrounded by art. And sometimes they leave with something they did not expect — an idea, a plan, a fresh perspective on their own work.

What will your poem be?

Discover The Gallery of Things

An art exhibition in Berlin at The Gallery of Things is made for exactly these kinds of moments. Here, I warmly invite you to simply feel at ease and let art work its magic. Perhaps you too will find inspiration in it — be it in the form of a poem, a sketch, or a thought that stays with you for the rest of the day.

Come by. Look around. Take your time. And if something comes of it, I would love to read or hear about it.

Current exhibition information, opening hours and selected works can be found on The Gallery of Things website. Those who would like to receive regular inspiration directly to their inbox are welcome to subscribe to our newsletter — where I share stories like this one, insights into the work of our artists, and news from the Berlin art scene.

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Anyone looking for an art gallery in Berlin that truly makes art accessible to everyone will immediately understand why the Affordable Art Fair is one of the city’s most important art fairs. Four days, over 65 galleries from 18 countries, countless works of art and The Gallery of Things right in the middle of it all. It was an art fair that reaffirmed what The Gallery of Things stands for as a Berlin art gallery: buying paintings and experiencing art should not be a question of budget, but a question of attitude.

Affordable Art Fair Berlin 2026: An Art Fair for Everyone

The Affordable Art Fair Berlin took place for the third time from 16 to 19 April 2026 at Arena Berlin (Treptow-Köpenick) – and once again demonstrated what an art fair in Berlin can achieve. The vision is clear: to lower the barriers to art collecting and find new ways to reach people who have had little or no access to art until now.

The Affordable Art Fair is a global player. Founded in London in 1999, it now takes place across four continents in 16 major cities. In Hamburg it has been an established fixture since 2012 and is considered the largest art fair in northern Germany. Berlin joined in 2024, and the fair is visibly growing here: from 50 galleries at its premiere to now over 65 galleries from 18 countries in its third instalment.

Works start from 100 €, with an upper limit of 10.000 €. This makes the Affordable Art Fair one of the few places where buying a painting is not solely a question of wealth, but a question of preference and taste.

What Stood Out to Me as a Gallerist

Numerous galleries, countless works and a surprisingly coherent overall impression. The persistent prejudice that affordable art is automatically less significant was impressively disproved at this Berlin art fair. The diversity was remarkable:

• Large-format paintings in a wide range of styles and techniques, from established artists as well as newcomers
• Printmaking and photography at an international level, with striking imagery
• A dedicated Sculpture Area featuring works by versatile artists
• An Emerging Artists section showcasing exciting Berlin-based positions
• Works from many countries offering very different perspectives

The Gallery of Things at the Affordable Art Fair Berlin – Our Artists

The Gallery of Things was also present with its own booth – and I am proud of what we showed. Four artists, four positions, one clear conviction. Beaukova, Daniela Luschin, Anna Steinhäusler and Smilté Svilpaite made the booth exactly what it was meant to be: a place in the midst of a large art fair that sparks curiosity and invites conversation.

The reactions of visitors confirmed what I had hoped for: those who stopped at our Exhibition booth truly stopped. Joining me on site were two of the artists themselves, Anna Steinhäusler and Smilté Svilpaite, who were able to answer visitors' questions directly. There was discussion, reflection and yes – purchases too.

For many people that weekend, buying art was no longer an abstract idea, but a very concrete decision. We have our artists to thank for that – they create their works with a conviction that you can feel.

Encounters That Stay With You

For me, art fairs are above all places of conversation and connection. I spoke with fellow gallerists, with experienced collectors, and with people who were attending an art fair for the very first time and then found themselves standing in front of a work, not wanting to leave.

These are exactly the moments I founded The Gallery of Things – Berlin's art gallery – for.

What I'm Taking Back to My Berlin Gallery

For me, the Affordable Art Fair Berlin 2026 was my first and certainly not my last art fair – a thoroughly successful one in every respect. Berlin no longer has a new event on its hands; the fair has established itself and is well on its way to becoming a permanent fixture in the calendar. The encounters and conversations of those four days will flow directly into our upcoming program. What that means in concrete terms, you will hear about soon – here on the blog and on our website.

Anyone who doesn't want to miss any news is welcome to subscribe to The Gallery of Things newsletter. There I regularly share insights from gallery life, reports from art fairs and personal thoughts on what is currently moving the art world.

The Affordable Art Fair was definitely groundbreaking and The Gallery of Things, as a Berlin art gallery, embodies that spirit every day.

The Gallery of Things in the Media

As a gallery owner, I am delighted to have had the opportunity to discuss the gallery’s work, our artists and my perspective on the fair. The articles are available online.

Titelbild: © Isabell Kessler

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In November 2024, The Gallery of Things opened its doors as a place that reimagines art: more personal, more political and more welcoming than usual. As a gallerist, I, Alexandra Mann, wanted to create a space where art doesn't retreat behind glass and keep its distance, but speaks directly, moves people and raises questions. If you're looking for art exhibitions in Berlin and online that go beyond pure aesthetics, you've come to the right place.

A Vision That Became a Place

My path took me through international cultural projects and exhibition spaces, particularly in Asia, and through Berlin's vibrant art scene – it was here that I realised the value that an inspiring space could offer: one that doesn't feel like a museum, but much more like a living room. A space where it's not about knowing what art "means". A space that sparks curiosity, fosters integration and community, and is simply enjoyable.

Giving Art a Space.

This vision has been at the heart of The Gallery of Things from the very beginning. Art should create closeness. It should be allowed to ask questions – uncomfortable ones, beautiful ones, necessary ones. And above all, art should reach people who love to be inspired in diverse ways – whether they are art lovers or newcomers.

"The goal is simple: to create a vibrant space where joy, curiosity, integration and community come together and thrive." (Alexandra Mann)

What Makes This Art Gallery in Berlin Special

As a gallery, The Gallery of Things is not a place for decorative art without conviction. The thematic focus is firmly on feminist, activist, and sustainable art – works that have something to say and whose creators bring a perspective that remains underrepresented in many traditional exhibition spaces.

Exhibitions change regularly, introducing different artists to the space – sometimes painters with large-format canvases, sometimes sculptors, sometimes photographers with powerful imagery. But the gallery goes one step further: readings, dance and theatre are equally part of the program, creating new ways of understanding and experiencing art through mutual inspiration. And with its guests, the exhibition space transforms into something truly alive.

Those looking to buy original paintings or purchase works by artists will find at The Gallery of Things primarily pieces backed by conviction and a story. Buying gallery art here means becoming part of a movement – not merely being an art buyer. In the future, there will also be more online space for collectors seeking authentic works that combine emotional resonance, relevance, provenance, and lasting value – for those who cannot be in Berlin in person.

The atmosphere in the gallery is cosy, lively and welcoming. It's a place where you're happy to linger, strike up a conversation or simply sit and look.

Why It's Worth Visiting the Berlin Gallery

The gallery's exhibition program changes regularly, offering new perspectives on and encounters with contemporary art. There are many art exhibitions in Berlin and I am delighted to be part of the modern art scene with a distinctive concept.

Whether you are visiting an art gallery for the first time, searching as a collector for specific positions or artworks or simply wanting to experience art in a special setting – The Gallery of Things offers the right space for all of that.

A major highlight in the gallery's still young history was the exhibition SHEvolution – ART IS CHANGE in 2025. This long-running exhibition was brought to life through the collaboration of seven outstanding female artists – Beaukova, Dorothea Böttger, Sandrine Guyat, Susanne Linz, Daniela Luschin, Lorelay von Sinoh and Kat Vandal – and took visitors on an expedition through themes such as sustainability, activism and equality, explored through fresh perspectives and the power of the feminine. What unites them? Creativity, skill and conviction.

Tip: The 2026 events calendar of The Gallery of Things is packed with numerous exhibitions by well-known artists as well as a diverse range of events. An overview can be found on the website and on my Instagram channel. Feel free to stop by!

Experiencing, Understanding, Taking Art With You – Blog by The Gallery of Things

This blog post is the first of many. Because I believe that art doesn't stop at the gallery door – it continues in conversations, questions, and stories. That is exactly what this blog is meant to be: a place where art becomes accessible, even between exhibition visits.

In the art gallery's blog, you can look forward to:

• Portraits of the artists exhibiting in the gallery – their work, their convictions, their process
• Behind-the-scenes insights: how an exhibition comes together, what matters when selecting works
• Background knowledge on feminist, activist and sustainable art – accessible and free of jargon
• Recommendations, dates, and highlights from the Berlin art scene
• Personal reflections on art, culture, and more

Feel free to subscribe to the gallery's newsletter and receive every post directly to your inbox – along with exclusive insights.

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