Maga Berr
Born in Lima, Peru
Lives and works in Amsterdam, The Netherlands

I explore human coexistence and the power struggle within interpersonal relationships and in society. Cultural dominance and culture discrimination are subjects that I am fascinated with. I focus on the resilience and experience of those who are repressed and oppressed. Also on the consequences of the verb “housing”, which means to house, but also to shelter and protect within a space or territory.
My work focuses on the feelings evoked by the stories that inspire me. This feeling and emotion is physically manifested in textures, shapes, combinations, and dimensions. I try to create a work that connects with the public in an intuitive way, through materials and dimensions that relate to the human existence and to a habitat. This is why the mediums used most are sculptural installation and mixed media.
Manual work is very important for me, I like to leave a physical imprint of myself on the object I produce. I often prefer the use of vulnerable materials, such as textiles, wood, and clay. In such a way that I can control the emotion that is reflected by the object. Other media such as assemblage use similar strategies, the collection and juxtaposition between elements reveals the complexity of subject matter. Quilting is something that I am using more and more, where working with words and sewing become actions that involve meditation and a reflective attitude.

2012-2017
Bachelor Fine Arts, Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Thesis keywords: Power Dynamics of Oppression, the Artist as a Shaman, Homeopathic Healing in Art.

2005
Postdoctoral Education in International Development Studies, Radboud Universiteit, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Thesis on Politics of International Cooperation for Development.

2002-2004
Master in International Development Studies, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Thesis on the dynamics of Racism, Multiculturalism, De-colonialism, Environmental protection and Empowerment in Education System in the Amazon rainforest in Peru 2004: 5 months field research in the Amazon rainforest of Peru, for MA thesis on intercultural education.

1996-2000
Bachelor in Communication Sciences, specialisation in Film and Television, University of Lima, Peru.

2005-2011
Worked as a coordinator in diverse international social and environmental projects (in South East Asia, Europe, and Latin America), at organizations such as Oxfam-Novib, Amnesty International and Both ENDS. Research on environmental and social inequality in diverse regions of the world gathered experience in a bottom-up approach for participatory project development, facilitation processes, intercultural communication, and project management.

1999-2002
Worked in the broadcasting business in Peru in diverse positions as set journalistic researcher, designer, scriptwriter, photographer, and producer. Gathered relevant information about the socio-political situation in my own country, Peru, by developing journalistic research.

2020
Organisation of Capoeira Experience program: initiative to create empowering energy within the artistic community through the practice and philosophy of Capoeira.

2017-2018
Coaching program for recently graduated artists, Academy-Rotterdam.

January 2018
Training for Trainers from The One Minutes initiative, Amsterdam.

2018
Screening of “expectations’’ at SWITCH, Roodkapje Rotterdam.

2017-2018
An organization of collective “The Bridge”, where artists and refugees were working together to bring their reflections about migration to the outside world.

2016-2017
Participation in the working group of the “Flag of Compassion” project by Rini Hurkmans.

2007
One week course on International Financial Institutions by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung, in Washington DC. Study of the Structure and Operations of the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.

• “Chemistry Proofread at Test Site”, Open Ateliers Zuidoost, Amsterdam 2020.
• "ZomerSalon, Royaal", CBK Zuidoost, 2020.
• "City Life", Museum Arnhem, 2020.
• "A House for The Un-Known", artist talk and exhibition, puntWG, 2020.
• Residency exhibition, CBK Zuidoost, 2019.
• Residency exhibition, Despina, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2019.
• Residency exhibition, CBK Zuidoost, 2018.
• “On my way to the Galactic Supermarket, need anything?”, Garage Rotterdam, 2018.
• “New Found Land”, RADION, Amsterdam, 2018.
• “Jetzt Schlägt's Driezehn”, V & B showroom, Rotterdam, 2018.
• “Bougie 2017”, CBK Amsterdam, 2017.
• “Summer of Love”, Vishal, Haarlem, 2017.
• Graduation Show, Gerrit Rietveld Academy, 2017.
• “Notes”, Peer Paper Platform, Amsterdam, 2017.
• "Syzygy", Gerrit Rietveld Academy, Amsterdam, 2016.
• "Excellence. Simply delivered. (1/3)", as part of the Uncut Festival, Brakke Grond, Amsterdam, 2016 "For example, etc.", A Lab, Amsterdam, 2016.
• 'Wonder and Wander', De Oude Kerk, Amsterdam, 2015.
• Part Two, Gerrit Rietveld Academy, 2015.
• Dogtime 2, Gerrit Rietveld Academy, 2014.
• “BIT(e)S”, Sixty One Gallery, Amsterdam, 2014.
• Dogtime 1, Gerrit Rietveld Academy, 2013.
• Open day at Artless, 2012.

August-October 2019
Residency H-Lab at CBK Amsterdam SouthEast, The Netherlands (upcoming)

May-July 2019
Residency Despina, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (upcoming)

January 2019
Orientation trip to Pre- Colombian ceramic historical places in Peru - Sechura desert (upcoming)

November 2018
Residency H-Lab at CBK Amsterdam SouthEast, The Netherlands

August 2018
Residency H-Lab at CBK Amsterdam SouthEast, The Netherlands

May 2018
Orientation trip to Pre-Colombian ceramic historical places in Peru - Sechura desert

Maga Berr
magaberr0000@gmail.com
tel:
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