“Das Objekt wächst über sein Erscheinungsbild hinaus durch unsere Kenntnis seines inneren Wesens, durch unsere Betrachtung.”
—— Paul Klee, “Schöpferische Konfession”, 1920

The group exhibition Sugar Control focuses on the practices of a diverse group of international artists working in Berlin. Centered around the tension between rational methodologies and emotional expression, the exhibition opens a dialogue on how these forces intersect and coexist. Contemporary German art, rooted in minimalism and postmodernism, often carries a restrained andserious tone. However, Berlin, as a vital hub in this artistic landscape, not only continues this legacy but also offers a uniquely open and experimental atmosphere for contemporary art.

The participating artists span multiple generations and employ a wide range of media to articulate their perceptions of reality. Among them are artists who grew up during the East and West Germany’s division, as well as creators from various Asian countries who have long been based in Berlin. Within this city—both wild and composed, scarred by history yet filled with creative energy—they engage in some of today’s most cutting-edge artistic practices.

The exhibition adopts the concept of Sugar Control, shifting it from its usual everyday association with health management into a metaphorical methodology within the context of contemporary art. It refers to the artist’s rational regulation of emotional expression—a deliberate restraint that prevents emotional excess while preserving the intensity and impact of creation. Sugar Control does not imply a limitation of output, but rather a targeted, precise approach to artistic practice. It is not about eliminating
sweetness or minimizing emotion, but about finding the right degree and rhythm—achieving structural coherence akin to a load-bearing wall in architecture. It does not obscure emotion; instead, it gives it form, ensuring a balance between emotional depth and formal construction.

In this exhibition, the eight participating artists and collective each interpret the idea of Sugar Control through their distinct practices. Whether through structural precision, inventive material use, or thoughtfully restrained modes of working and collaboration, their works seek and reveal the ideal sweetness—striking a careful balance between rationality and sensibility

-Linhan Yu