Exhibition of my HaBits series – Snapshots between studio and gallery, part 2

After giving you an insight into the creation of the exhibition in the last post, I would now like to take you along to the actual event. So here we go with the logbook for "Cratered & torn":

PART 2 – From the vernissage to the sale

Thu, 27 February 2025 – early evening

Not even two hours left until the vernissage. I'm in the exhibition space, have set it up with flowers and snacks, feel overdressed, am practising the speech with Vitus and am far too nervous. I keep getting stuck, rephrasing, unsure of what to say. The only thing that reassures me is the fact that people aren't coming for that reason. They come to support us or to see our works, and I can present them with a good feeling.

Thu, 27 February 2025 – late evening

The vernissage is a complete success. There are enough people there for the room to feel filled – and I already have the feeling that I can't look after all “my” guests sufficiently. I hope that everyone who is there knows how happy I am – regardless of whether they had announced their attendance in advance or surprised me :)

I also got through the speech. I talked about two “side effects” of excessive media consumption, especially social media, which are reflected in my work, and then moved on to the fact that I design apps full-time. A murmur went round the room. Apparently those present hadn't realised that I wasn't making a case against technology, but simply wished for a healthier approach to it. It's always amazing that things aren't just black or white ;)

And I've just received the most amazing feedback from a visitor: "I've been to exhibitions here at the Gartenhaus before, but I've never seen such a beautiful exhibition here!"

Sun, 02 March 2025, evening

The first exhibition weekend is over. Vitus and I had decided to do the supervision together. That turned out to be a good decision – it means we can talk to more people or take a break from time to time. The fact that I can hear what Vitus has to say about his work and vice versa means that we can represent each other better and talk about each other's work. My small prints are also doing well. People with whom I have nice conversations about my subject often want to take a souvenir with them afterwards. Nevertheless, I'm glad that I can call it a day now, because the constant social interaction is also quite exhausting.

Fri, 07 March 2025, afternoon

A person was just here who wants to buy a large number of my exhibited paintings. Holy shit :D I'm a bit shaky on the road and wonder if that really happened. We exchanged contact details for further consultation and I put green ‘reserved’ dots on the pictures. At the same time, I try not to get too excited too soon.

Sun, 09 March 2025, in the afternoon

Today is the last day of the exhibition. We opened it with a piano concert: Diana Sahakyan entertained us for an hour, despite her cold. And it was magnificent! (She has also kindly allowed me to post a photo of it here.) It rounds off the last 10 days, during which talented passers-by have dared to take to the piano from time to time.

As I slowly realise that it's actually coming to an end, I think of all the friends and family members who have made it here over the last week and a half – from near and far, to the vernissage and afterwards. And I'm grateful for all the support.

Sun, 09 March 2025, evening

I'm back home, the exhibition has been taken down. When I saw the empty walls at the end, I felt quite melancholy. It was a wonderful and challenging few days. We were very lucky with the weather and a lot of visitors came. We counted almost 700, most of them on the two weekends.

I have had countless good conversations, especially about how other people perceive the changes that are happening to themselves, their fellow human beings and children as a result of smartphone/social media use. One paediatrician told us about young children whose development had been severely disrupted by early media consumption and who were becoming almost autistic. According to her, the motto ‘screen-free until three!’ is essential to counteract this. One teacher talked about major difficulties with movement and language in children of primary school age. A grandmother talked about her grandchildren rebelling when they weren't allowed to use their smartphones. One mum even said that her children sometimes asked her to ‘Take it away!’

Tue, 11 March 2025

Yes! I've reached an agreement with the prospective buyer, the sale is finalised and I'm trying to relax. Eight paintings sold directly at my first “real” exhibition (i.e. the first one that wasn't a group exhibition) – I really didn't expect that.

Sat, 21 March 2025

The sale has been completed. The paintings have been collected and paid for, the buyer is happy – and so am I! At last, an exhibition that I can chalk up as a success not only emotionally but also financially. This really is a great start to my artistic year.

What's next?

From my research over the last few weeks and the many conversations I've had, I already have a number of ideas for HaBits 2.0 – in terms of content and visuals. My art journal is slowly filling up again and I'm very excited to see where the project will go from here.

Currently, however, I'm recovering from the exciting months, and soon I'll finally show you another project that was created in parallel over the winter and, for once, completely intuitively – without an overall theme, just in the flow of creating and only partly in acrylic. I hope you are already curious!

Are you interested in a painting?

Have a look at the gallery to see what's still available and write to me.

There are also a few copies of my Limited Edition Mini Prints (12x12 cm) left: 1x ‘Connected’ and 3x ‘Mirror, mirror on the wall’. If you are interested, you can buy them for 5 Euro each (+ 1,80 Euro shipping/in Germany only) – first come, first served ;)

And now go outside, enjoy the spring and at least put your mobile phone away from time to time.

"Time to put the silicon obsession down

Take a look around

Find a way in the silence"

From "Disillusioned" by "A Perfect Circle"

See you soon!