Kristian Jarmuschek

What are you working on right now?
At the moment my team and I are working flat out on preparations for the seventh edition of Positions Berlin Art Fair, which will be held jointly this year along with the specialised photo basel and Fashion Positions formats. Despite these extraordinary times, we have fantastic artists and galleries participating and are currently at work on the supporting programme. We want it to be as interesting as possible, notwithstanding the COVID-19 pandemic.

What part of your work do you like best, what part do you like least?
I love interacting with people, and of course having the opportunity to experience art up close and watch it take shape. My job is so varied that there actually isn’t anything that I don’t like to do. But what I often find difficult, and what I like least, is when I am unable to implement good ideas.

Who or what has influenced you in your work?
My artists and collectors were a profound influence when I first started working as a gallerist. These days I mostly swap ideas with my team and work closely with them to come up with good concepts and projects. The lucky coincidence of the fall of the Berlin Wall allowed me to discover the world at the right time and to live my life as I see fit. The biggest influences on my work are basically my curiosity and fundamental attitude: If you can concieve of it, then you can also make it happen.

What artwork do you keep coming back to?
I have the immense good fortune of having several artworks in my home. There is no one work of art that I am drawn to or doesn’t let me go. Every time has its work, and I remember many beautiful moments in my life through art.
If I could name just one, it would be ›Las Meninas‹ (1656) by Diego Velázquez. But I don’t see it every day, unfortunately…

What would you do if you had nothing to do with art?
I really can’t imagine. As a child I wanted to be a circus director.

What does your workspace look like?
I appreciate a tidy workspace. We try to use our resources responsibly and work  mostly paperless. So I have a computer on my desk and a notebook next to it—and that’s all I need to be productive, regardless of where I am.

Where do you most like to spend time?
This year it’s on our new roof terrace, our »Roof Top GRDN« above the gallery showroom. I love plants and we’ve made it a green oasis in the middle of the city. I delight in the sea of flowers, fresh herbs, and berries. I also love museums and going to exhibitions. I enjoyed the same things in childhood, by the way. I don’t know why I’m always drawn to those kinds of spaces.

What space would you like to enter sometime?
The being-everywhere-at-once space. Especially during the Berlin Art Week. I would really love to see every contribution and attend every event.

What is your favourite thing to do when you’re alone?
I do crossword puzzles. But don’t tell anyone.

What object enriches your everyday life?
My mobile phone is both a blessing and a curse, of course. But all in all I’d say it’s probably more of an enrichment.

What are you reading at the moment?
›4 3 2 1‹ by Paul Auster. Archibald, the young hero of the novel, lives four times and takes four, cleverly interwoven fictional paths, true to the motto: what would have happened if…? I often wonder what even little changes to certain things, moments, or behaviour would bring about…

What was your last trip before the lockdown? Your first when it lifted?
My last big trip was to Mexico over New Year, and I recently travelled to Venice.