Berlin

In no European city is the complex relationship between art and politics so near to the surface as in Berlin. Its cultural history is apparent in the rococo palaces of Frederick the Great and the triumphal boulevard of Unter den Linden, which dates from the time of Otto von Bismarck’s unification of Germany. During the soaring inflation of the twenties it became synonymous with the work of the Expressionists and with Kathe Kollwitz and the Bauhaus movement who responded in different but equally principled ways to the rise of Hitler. Three decades of the Cold War divided the city but left it with an extraordinary mix of influences. Since reunification it has become a centre of the art market with dozens of commercial galleries and private collections now open to the public. Together they offer an insight into a radical and often politically conscious art, which is quite different from anything to be found in London.
For these reasons, Berlin is the chosen location for the second of OCA study visits for 2014 to be led by tutor Gerald Deslandes and Director of Curriculum and Assessment Jane Horton. The core of our visit will be on Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 September. The study visit will be of particular interest to all visual arts students but is open to all students. The first day will focus on historical galleries and the second on contemporary ones. In addition to providing a programme of supported visits on the core days the joining instructions will indicate additional options for students who wish to arrive early or leave later.
Berlin has excellent transport links and fairly easy access from UK airports. We shall recommend hotels where tutors will be staying and restaurants where we can meet up. However, students are responsible for making their own travel and insurance arrangements and for their timetable and personal safety. By choosing to focus on the midweek period, we shall enable students to take advantage of the greater availability of cheap flights and hotels. They will also be able to avoid Monday when many museums are closed and to visit galleries when they are less busy.
There is a £25 non-refundable booking fee for this study visit, which will be put to gallery admission fees.
To book please ring the OCA office during office hours (0800 731 2116).