AKA

NEW WEBSITE

2011-08-05T09:24:00.000-07:00

We won't be using this blog anymore, we now have our own website: www.akaberlin.com
All the news, exhibition, tattoo artists updates will now be posted on this site!

Sincerely,

Your AKA Team

Dance with me (eros and thanatos)

2011-04-14T10:26:00.000-07:00

Here is a preview about a new durational performance from our two AKA artist Kiril Bikov and Jon John:

akajonjohn.blogspot.com
bikov.de

Got some news from Guy

2011-03-15T16:06:00.000-07:00

interview for bang bang berlin

2011-02-23T05:34:00.000-08:00

http://www.bangbangberlin.com/en/index/Arts/Aka-Interview-With-Jon-John-Co-Owner-Of-Berlins-Hottest-Tattooart-Space/

Renowned tattoo gallery and art hub AKA in Kreuzberg is getting more and more respect in the alternative and creative world, not just in Berlin but in other major cities around the world for reeling in the best of the best tattoo artists and creatives to work and exhibit for a short time in the gallery. I spoke to Jon John, Berlin party boy and co owner of AKA...

Jon John, you [correct me if i'm wrong] co-own AKA, can you explain exactly to people what it is?
AKA is a hybrid art space, multidisciplinary, and an evolving project following an artist residency.

How long has it been running for and what gave you the initiative to start it?
We just celebrated our 1 year aniversary. As a multidisciplinary artist, it has always been hard to fine some space combining different art practices, Being in a city like Berlin which is focused and filled with artists pushed me, and under the impulsion of Valentin (co owner)... The story began.
So first of all AKA is an artist run space, so valentin and I are not only owner, but part and contributing into the AKA project, as we use the space for our respective art activity.
There is large tattoo activity. For being in the world of tattoo for quiet a long time now, i have the opportunity to have amazing artist as friends. The idea is to bring them to berlin, every two months in general, as guest artists for a week.
Then we have a resident team of tattoo artists, photographers, performers, silkscreen artists...
All those people, coming from different backgrounds, using different techniques, and evaluating each others work, sharing and guessing create AKA. What we usually call, the family.
The idea was to give to people in our surrounding, friends, the opportunity to have a space to work, and to be all together.

So it's like a small community, a community of tattooed and pierced beauties! I can safely say that your tattoo parlor is one of my favorites in europe just from the quality of work that is pumped out, You have had some of the biggest names in not only contemporary but classic tattoo artists come visit AKA, can you let us in on who is coming in the near future?
I've been working on the bookings of some new tattoo artists for 2011, NOON is gonna be here in March, And for the begining of the summer we'll start to present the italian style with the artists from The Saint Mariner in Milan, Then there should be some more Italian artists to follow. AKA will soon be opened to my greek connections aswell, with tattooligans from thesaloniki. I'm also actually working on an English booking, but can't say any names for the moment, That's to be revealed. [he smirks]

Well, well, well, Italians, Greeks, Brits... I know where i'm going to be in March! Your job at AKA consists of doing the piercing and body modification side of things, but also there is the gallery space which you have been known to rock out at times, have you got any exhibitions coming up or running at the moment which are something unmissable?
Good that you mention that one, Amazing Ango the meekdead show "sexdate turned into a massive bloodbrawl" is just over. We'll be pleased to showcase in 2011 fantastic works by LNY, Julie fogarty, Massimo gurnari, Kiril Bikov, Richard james hancock, another group show aswell.
I'm working on a gallery exchange with Barcelona, so AKA is going to be there by the end of June presenting 5 artists with a performance evening. I'll personally be reducing my involvment on the piercing side, Next year I shall only work on appointment/request, as we want to design and produce our own clothing collection, so we gonna open a showroom at AKA.
I've been doing piercing for 10 years now, i've been a teacher in this field. I'm still doing it with a lot of love (and care), but i also have my performance career to honor, I'm currently working on new multimedia performance pieces, videos and other needs and passions that I want to fullfill as I explained, so piercing at AKA is going to be a bit more "exclusive", but deffo still done with my heart.

Aw shame! You're a brilliant piercer, but also your perfomance side is compelling so it's understandable, so... For our international readers, you travel around to different parlors in europe and offer your piercing and body modification services, Where is next on the map for you? and where can people book?
I'm quite often quest appearing at "extreme needle" in london, and I should be there in March and June, still not sure of the exact dates though.

Really! I got my septum done at extreme needle! Okay, now I want gossip... What is your favorite tattoo that you have seen created at AKA?
That s too cruel as a question, I'm too pasionate by body ornament to only have one fave, I've got my dream team here and really admire and respect their work, but... Guy le tatooer's style is deffo my fav.

His stuff is mind blowing, He did a few of my friends ink, really quite spectacular to look at isn't it! So lastly Jon John, Is there anything else you would like to mention about AKA that you think readers should know?
Well, AKA have put on it's new jewellery collection, check it out, that s our new born baby
(akajewellery.tumblr.com/archive), And I really would like to thank again all the artists collaborating with us on the AKA project, thank you for being able to make me proudly (and cheesily) say "WE ARE FAMILY!".

Cool! and what a strange and lovely family you all are. Thank you Jon John for answering my questions!
Thank you Jackee!

New Exhibition Friday February the 18th: LNY & Thomas Mader

2011-02-14T05:23:00.000-08:00

the duet performed on the twins!!!

2011-01-24T11:17:00.000-08:00

Their respective work are amazing, but once again they proved us that their duet work is another step beyond!!
Guy and Raf performed at AKA berlin those two identical tattoo on those beauts twins.

Just GRAND!!

Next exhibition: Ango The Meek Dead

2010-12-09T04:34:00.000-08:00

This Friday, December 17th, we are proud to present you Ango's "sex date turned into a massive bloodbrawl"!

A(lso) K(nown) A(s) BEAUTY MAKER

2010-11-23T09:51:00.000-08:00

WE LL BE THERE, GONNA BE GRAND <3

REWIND

2010-11-16T10:13:00.000-08:00

akajonjohn.blogspot.com

Friday November 12th

2010-11-10T13:16:00.000-08:00

Dear Body(+) Art lovers,

It's been one year. Incredible tattoo artists and exhibitions have blessed this place. We would like to thank you all and invite you to celebrate this first anniversary with this outstanding group show "EGO" from artists we love and respect:

LNY
MISS FISH
KIRIL BIKOV
TINA CASSATI
JESSICA MACH
MADAME CHÄN
LUKAS BEYELER
JULIE FOGARTY
SARAH B BOLEN
PETER AURISCH
ANGO THE MEEKDEAD
GUY LE TATTOOER
EMMANUEL LACOSTE
RICHARD JAMES HANCOK

"... if i cut my body open for you to stare at your own blood, it's because i love you: THE OTHER..." (Gina Pane)

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=165112480176164&index=1

After the opening of the group show ,

we are moving to ENKLAVE to celebrate AKA´s 1 year anniversary with music by SAMZ & VALENTIN.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=175986485744705

Newborn Baby

2010-11-05T11:18:00.000-07:00

"Almost and maybe", Aminus new album is out, spread the word, listen it, download it.

aMinus is so far part of AKA collektive since the begining, we are really proud of this fresh electro pop sound in loop in our ghetto blasters since it s out.

aMinus Live Berghain november 17th ! ♥

Billy videoclip should be out soon, so stay tunned cause it s gonna be massive ;-)

ITUNES
http://itunes.apple.com/fr/album/almost-and-maybe/id402070759?ign-mpt=uo%3D4

DEEZER
http://www.deezer.com/fr/music/aminus/almost-and-maybe-696840#music/aminus/almost-and-maybe-696840

a wolf in sheep s clothing...

2010-10-28T08:25:00.000-07:00

DOT DOT DOT

2010-10-28T08:12:00.000-07:00

More updates from guy

2010-10-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

Emmanuel Lacoste s opening nite at AKA

2010-10-25T07:46:00.000-07:00

yeah yeah

2010-10-24T10:18:00.000-07:00

http://guyletatooer.com/

Guy le tatooer

2010-10-24T10:16:00.000-07:00

RAF

2010-10-23T06:15:00.000-07:00

Jessica Mach

2010-10-22T08:54:00.000-07:00

GUY le tatooer

2010-10-21T16:04:00.000-07:00

Peter aurisch at AKA

2010-10-20T11:47:00.000-07:00

Artifist collective rocks

2010-10-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

The collective Artifist is part of AKA s family.
Once again they prouve their activism in the french art background by organising this wonderfull event.
We love artifist ;-)
artifist.com

chit chat

2010-10-09T06:20:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBAdJTATAuQ&feature=player_embedded

AKA team at stroke 03

2010-10-08T02:53:00.000-07:00

We ll present on the stroke 03 street art fair, showing the art collection (Peter aurisch, LeNad, MllzFannib, Lea Nahon).
We are also tattooing on the booth, ask for your appointment.

Your AKA team
http://www.stroke03.com/

CRAZY SEPTEMBER AT AKA

2010-09-07T12:41:00.000-07:00

RESIDENT ARTIST:

-Jessica Mach http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=169785&id=160154969242&ref=mf

-Sarah B Bolen http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=204299&id=160154969242

September

LeNad from 6 to 13th http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=129057&id=160154969242 or myspace.com/nadamacash

Mlle Chän from 13th to 30th http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=122062&id=160154969242

Guy 20 tà 26th http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/album.php?aid=129067&id=160154969242

Raf 20 to 26th http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=129067&id=160154969242#!/album.php?aid=161850&id=160154969242

StefWu 9 to 17th http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=129067&id=160154969242#!/album.php?aid=204728&id=160154969242

GUY s exibition in Paris

2010-08-18T10:00:00.000-07:00

Guy opens his exibition last week end at the gallerie "Grimpel & Müller", a blow minding avant-garde show ...

OPENING FRIDAY THE 13, aka PETER AURISCH

2010-08-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

OPENING FRIDAY THE 13
aka PETER AURISCH

2010-07-19T09:02:00.001-07:00

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Berlin-Germany/AKA/160154969242?ref=ts

RAF is at AKA this week, till sat 17 july

2010-07-15T05:55:00.000-07:00

http://www.alternativetattooshop.fr/

DOROTEE VAN BIESEN @ AKA check it out!!!

2010-07-07T07:04:00.000-07:00

DOT KOR at AKA till 28th June

2010-06-23T10:41:00.001-07:00

Stefan Wu @ AKA from the 2nd untill the 10th of June !

2010-06-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

STEFAN WU is tattooing a AKA till the 9th june, this french artist makes his art evolve through tattoozz, check out his website.

http://stefanwu2.site.voila.fr/index.html

Next exhibition: Lorenzo Nanni.

2010-05-31T07:54:00.000-07:00

June @ AKA !

2010-05-26T08:53:00.000-07:00

This month @ AKA, don't miss the Toulouse Crew: Guy and Raf !

2010-05-06T09:13:00.003-07:00

This Friday, May 7th: Vernissage of Theresa Lunau's Perspectives of Skin

2010-05-04T07:11:00.000-07:00

Jessica Mach, our first resident artist! AKA hearts Jessica!

2010-04-20T08:54:00.001-07:00

Next week: GOTCH HARIZANMAI !!

2010-04-01T08:25:00.000-07:00

What's on April 2010

2010-03-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

Lea Nahon

2010-03-24T06:21:00.001-07:00

Gotch

2010-03-24T06:17:00.001-07:00

WE ARE FAMILY

2010-03-18T05:47:00.000-07:00

AKA (heart) TRIBAL ACT

just to make it clear like ABC that the legendary french shop TRIBAL ACT in Paris and AKA berlin are "in a relationship" ehe.
So we are working closely in showin tattoo artist. Means that you ll find mostly the same artist in both studio.
GOTCH HARIZANMAI
BELLY BUTTON
GUY
RAFEL
So feel free to clic clic clic those link, for more good good good things
www.tribalact.com

http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/pages/Paris-France/Tribal-Act/33968872259?ref=ts

Gotch Harizanmai AKA the japanese excellence

2010-03-17T15:34:00.000-07:00

In April, AKA is proud to welcome gotch harizanmai, if you haven t already heard about him (???), just check that link
http://www.taetowiermagazin.de/index.php?set_nc_id=6669&set_news_get_cat=20:::K%FCnstler&c_id=40
Of course really famous for his "shunga" illustration, AKA also loves his old school japanese unique style.

his facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=33968872259#!/profile.php?id=1008271179

March @ AKA

2010-02-24T08:19:00.001-08:00

19.02.10 : Pauline Raguin Vernissage

2010-02-18T06:43:00.000-08:00

This month @ AKA...

2010-02-05T04:54:00.000-08:00

Cy Wilson's Exhibition - Friday, January the 22nd

2010-01-13T14:32:00.000-08:00

DOT KOR

2010-01-06T07:02:00.001-08:00

Cy Wilson

2010-01-05T07:19:00.000-08:00

Street and silk-screen artist, Cy works black like no one!

He will be at AKA January, the 15th until the 25th.

Guy

2009-12-10T06:07:00.000-08:00

Lenad

2009-12-10T05:25:00.001-08:00

Lenad comes from street culture. His name has first been linked to graffitis and street art. He is now using this background to design his tattoos.

www.myspace.com/nadamacash

Dot Kor

2009-12-09T10:07:00.000-08:00

Dot Kor has been trained by Xed Le Head. He is now specialised in "dotwork" and crazy geometrical shapes even though you can still find influences of traditional tattoo in his work.

www.myspace.com/asn83

Jewellery @ AKA

2009-12-08T08:45:00.001-08:00

Vernissage: Kiril Bikov / Friday, December 11th

2009-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

Morgane aka "Sweet & Sour Tattoo"

2009-12-05T05:02:00.000-08:00

Morgane is our next Tatto artist. She defines her style as "sweet and sour tattoo", it is a mixture of new school tattoo and references to oldschool mexican tattoo and traditional art. The result is fresh, graphic and colourful. She will be @ AKA starting from December 15th! Contact us for appointment or directly with her via her myspace page: www.myspace.com/morgane1983.

JEF aka "The King Of Pixels"

2009-11-24T09:46:00.000-08:00

AKA is proud to welcome Jef as the next guest tattoo artist.
Now that he has set up the pixel as the new trend in tattoo, Jef is focusing on visual ideas which are now calling photo montage / collage to mind. He will be tattooing at AKA this December.

2009-11-12T00:12:00.000-08:00

We are proud to welcome Madame Chän as our first guest Tattoo Artist. She is precisely the type of artist we want to promote here at AKA: unconventional and multidisciplinary (silkscreen, mixed media, visual art).
AKA loves Chän!

"The world is a sick and depraved place and as we hustle our charms on the sidewalks of life, someone’s got to watch our backs, write down the plates of the car we get in to, and give us the occasional well-deserved slap round the head when the envelope’s a little thin at the end of the day. In a predominantly phallocentric environment, only a woman could properly evaluate how much our hairy money-makers are actually worth. She screens the candidates, evaluates the merchandise and determines the market price. Her callous assessment will determine if you build your career on your knees, gratifying clients in a back alley with 3-for-the-price-of-2 deals, or in the spotlight, gyrating round a pole, satisfied customers slipping bills in your string. She’ll make you or break you, and you’ll love her or hate her; but don’t be fooled by the Betty Page facade, cause she’s all Weimar-at-heart: a woman who loves men, who could have been a man who loves men, singing lewd songs at the Kit Kat Klub, or pumping stencils through the threads of a mesh with the help of a squeegee, onto paper, textile or flesh.

We call her Madame Chän."

Fred Aerden.

Vernissage "Inspiration, ausatmen"

2009-11-01T00:58:00.001-07:00

Vernissage + Opening / Friday, November the 13th

2009-10-25T14:52:00.000-07:00

AKA Opening / November Friday the 13th

2009-10-25T13:35:00.000-07:00

AKA is a new hybrid space in which coexist one art gallery, one body-art atelier (tattoo and piercing) and one café.

It will be opened Friday, November the 13th.

"Glück is wie ein Schmetterling" Nana Mouskouri

AKA