Latest Events in Berlin(July Updated)

Monira Al Qadiri (*1983) is a Kuwaiti visual artist born in Senegal and educated in Japan. Recent shows include solo exhibitions at UCCA Dune, China (2023); Kunsthaus Bregenz, Austria (2023); the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Spain (2022); Blaffer Art Museum, Texas, USA (2022); Haus der Kunst, Munich, Germany (2020); Kunstverein Gottingen, Gottingen, Germany (2019); The CIRCL Pavilion, Amsterdam, Netherlands (2018); Sursock Museum, Beirut, Lebanon (2017) and Gasworks, London, UK (2017); amongst others. In 2022, Al Qadiri was featured in the Venice Biennale's central exhibition “The Milk of Dreams.” She is based in Berlin.

The new museum's exhibitions are dedicated to showcasing the history and significance of the zodiac from Babylon to Egypt and the Greco-Roman world. The exhibitions are divided into several thematic areas, presenting the ancient zodiac from contemporary scientific and social perspectives."What's your zodiac sign?" Even in today's scientific age, this question is frequently asked. Since ancient times, the zodiac has fascinated humanity. It connects us to the universe, heaven and earth, astronomy and astrology, science and faith, tradition and innovation, certainty and uncertainty, harmony and conflict. But what exactly is the zodiac? Is it an oracle predicting the future? A mirror reflecting the mind? A projection of our pursuit of knowledge and certainty? A coordinate system for calculating planetary motion? A visible manifestation of celestial harmony? Or a combination of all these? Where did it originate? How did it spread throughout the world? What was it used for? And how was it depicted?What is the significance of the zodiac in contemporary society? In public perception, the zodiac is now primarily associated with astrological horoscopes. The introduction of the zodiac was a turning point in the history of astrology. Along with the zodiac, astrology emerged as a new astrological practice in Babylon, initially used not only by kings and rulers but also by ordinary people from all walks of life. Today, although categorized as mysticism and pseudoscience, astrology is more popular worldwide than ever before. It is based on the belief that the positions of the planets at the time of birth contain clues about an individual's character and destiny. This belief stems from humanity's enduring need for meaning, self-awareness, and understanding of the future, for certainty, and for ways to cope with uncertainty. What could be more meaningful and compelling than recognizing the connection between an individual's character and destiny and the universe?The relevance of the zodiac extends to scientific and cultural practices vital to modern society. We are accustomed to accessing, analyzing, calculating, and predicting data anytime, anywhere through applications and computers. The roots of systematic observation, data collection, data analysis, algorithms, calculations, and predictions lie in the ancient zodiac and the ancient astronomical calculation programs associated with it. Furthermore, the spread of the zodiac and its related astronomical and astrological knowledge and practices in the ancient world serves as a prime example of innovation, globalization, intercultural exchange, and multiculturalism—all core issues and hotly debated topics in contemporary society.The new museum's exhibition presents the ancient zodiac from a contemporary scientific and social perspective, exploring multiple thematic areas. Utilizing ancient artifacts from various Berlin museums, some never before exhibited, the exhibition takes visitors on a multicultural journey through time, from Babylon to Egypt, Greece, and Rome (400 BC to 400 AD), and elucidates the contemporary significance of the zodiac.

Breweries from around the world gather at Berlin Beer Week, bringing a dazzling array of unique craft beers. For craft beer enthusiasts, Berlin is the craft beer capital. Berlin Beer Week celebrates this trend with its own dedicated beer festival. Immerse yourself in the world of craft beer! Expect beer parades, exciting opening and closing parties, thrilling international brewery takeovers, delicious beer and food pairings, and vibrant live music.