All posts tagged: MCL Library

Books In The MCL: Vladimir Manzhos. WAONE: Worlds of Phantasmagoria, Vol. 1

Books In The MCL: Vladimir Manzhos. WAONE: Worlds of Phantasmagoria, Vol. 1

WAONE: Worlds of Phantasmagoria, Vol. 1. Vladimir Manzhos. 2020

Reprinted from the original review.

Worlds of Phantasmagoria, Vol. 1 is a comprehensive exploration of the monochromatic works of Ukrainian artist Vladimir Manzhos, known as WAONE. Spanning the years 2013 to 2020, this 208-page hardcover book provides a chronological view of his artistic evolution. It highlights his transition from large-scale, colorful murals in public spaces to intricate black-and-white compositions created in the studio.

The book features a range of works, including murals, ink drawings, etchings, and lithographs, each accompanied by detailed narratives from the artist. These descriptions provide insight into WAONE’s creative process and the philosophical themes that underpin his work. Drawing inspiration from mythology, folklore, science, and personal introspection, his pieces weave together surreal imagery with symbolic depth.

With the aesthetics of a musty and mythical library, the illustrations open the preconceptions of psychology, offering myriad views through recombining familiar elements into unusual associations. In the process, you travel with Waone as he dedicates himself to this uncolorful view, which is nonetheless rich, if not tinged with a bit of antiseptic horror.

Text Steven P. Harrington & Jaime Rojo     Fotos Eveline Wilson

Title: WAONE: Worlds of Phantasmagoria, Vol. 1
Published: WAWE 2020
Author: Vladimir Manzhos (WAONE)
Language: English

Click URBAN NATION BERLIN to continue reading

Read more
Martha Cooper Library / MCL PRESENTS #4: Political Graffiti

Martha Cooper Library / MCL PRESENTS #4: Political Graffiti

For the 4th installment of the Martha Cooper Library at Urban Nation Berlin’s series MCL Presents, the theme for discussion will be Graffiti and politics. Many people have argued that all art is political, and, graffiti wouldn’t be an exception. From the American writer Toni Morrison who famously declared “All good art is political! There is none that isn’t. And the ones that try hard not to be political are political by saying, ‘We love the Status quo.’ To the American performing artist Lin-Manuel Miranda who wrote in an article for The Atlantic “All art is political. In tense, fractious times—like our current moment—all art is political. But even during those times when politics and the future of our country itself are not the source of constant worry and anxiety, art is still political.” The MCL Librarian Mrs. Eveline Wilson will lead the talk with hosts René Kästner, Sven Niemann, and a mystery surprise host.

Talk with René Kästner, Sven Niemann, and a special guest from a street art crew

February 29, 2024, 6.00 to 7.30 pm
URBAN NATION Museum | Bülowstr. 7, 10783 Berlin

Vandalism or message? Sprayers reach for the can when they want to convey a political message to a broad audience in highly visible and public places. The volume “Political Graffiti” was recently published in the Guernica Society’s “Art and Politics” series. René Kästner and Sven Niemann discuss graffiti as a tool of political agency with an artist from an internationally renowned street art crew.

For more details and information about the guests and related exhibitions at the museum click HERE

René Kästner (photo courtesy of Martha Cooper Library. Urban Nation Berlin)
Sven Niemann (photo courtesy of Martha Cooper Library. Urban Nation Berlin)
Read more