Thinking Through Curating

Born in 1971, Axel Wieder studied art history and cultural theory at the University of Cologne and the Humboldt University in Berlin, specializing in conceptual art, postmodern theory and architecture. In 1999, together with Jesko Fezer and Katja Reichard, he founded the “Pro qm” bookstore in Berlin, which is also a venue for experimental events in the field of art and urbanism. From 2007 to 2010, Wieder was artistic director of Künstlerhaus Stuttgart. Axel Wieder’s work frequently focuses on the history and theory of exhibiting art, social space and issues of political representation. He has published numerous books and contributes regularly to catalogues, anthologies and magazines such as Texte zur Kunst and Frieze.

Frédérique Bergholtz (born in 1968) is trained as an art historian and currently director of If I Can’t Dance, I Don’t Want to Be Part of Your Revolution, a rolling curatorial platform focusing on performative practices in contemporary art. From 1997 to 1998 she was director of Exedra in Hilversum and from 1999 to 2005 she was director of Marres Centre for Contemporary Culture in Maastricht. Bergholtz is co-editor of the multi-disciplinary lecture series The Old Brand New in the Stadsschouwburg in Amsterdam. She lecturers (most recently for example at the 7th European Feminist Research Conference in the Utrecht University) and writes for journals such as the Dutch art magazine Metropolis M.