Gallery Weekend Berlin Expands with New Perspectives Section Amid City's Identity Crisis

Gallery Weekend Berlin (GWB) introduces a new rotating section called Perspectives for its 2025 edition (1-3 May), expanding participation from 50 to 57 galleries. Perspectives features smaller, younger galleries that have not previously taken part, including Anton Janizewski (showing Jiyoon Chung's sculptures cast from celebrity tequila bottles) and Persons Projects (presenting Karl Benjamin and Grey Crawford). Participating galleries pay 50% of the usual €9,000 fee, subsidized by the Berlin Senate. GWB director Antonia Ruder cites space constraints and quality control as reasons for the traditionally stable exhibitor list, which has faced accusations of elitism. The expansion comes as Berlin's art scene faces challenges: rising costs, arts funding cuts, two culture minister resignations, and a decline in the influx of artists. Perspectives is welcomed by former critic Christian Siekmeier, who had called GWB a 'protectorate' in 2018. New tech wealth and international collectors (Chinese, Canadian) are emerging, but local collecting base remains small. Galleries like Mountains (founded 2019) show works by Shinoh Nam (priced €2,000-€16,000), while Shahin Zarinbal presents Mark Barker's works (€2,500-€18,000). The inaugural Hamburger Bahnhof fundraising gala in January marked a shift toward private philanthropy in Berlin.