Martin Dammann – “Ein Loch graben” and Anna K.E. – “Cardinal Directions” Exhibitions

In Berlin’s distinctive, slightly melancholic yet always enchanting winter atmosphere, there’s a wonderful stop for those wanting to close out the final days of the year with artistic depth. I’ve added Galerie Barbara Thumm—located on Markgrafenstrasse right next to Checkpoint Charlie—and its two special exhibitions, with only a few days left, to Apartment No: 26’s Berlin route.

Both exhibitions end on December 31, 2025—right as the year comes to a close. Don’t miss this final chance before the new year to explore both beneath the earth’s surface and our sense of direction.

In the gallery’s main space, German artist Martin Dammann’s “Ein Loch graben” (Digging a Hole) greets us. Dammann has spent years searching for prehistoric mammal fossils in Wyoming’s deep canyons. But this exhibition is not about displaying the bones he found; it’s about the feeling of searching for them.

Fossils and Watercolor

When Dammann tried to transfer the thousands of photographs he took during this process onto canvas, he encountered an interesting resistance. “Trying to paint a fossil felt like pressing two magnets of the same pole together,” he says. That’s why the large-scale, captivating watercolors in the exhibition reflect not the fossil itself, but the emptiness of the search process, the landscape, and the state of “not yet being found.”

The show also includes the artist’s 24-minute shattering video “Das Loch” (2025), which merges his childhood trauma with fossil digging. It’s a deeply personal and impactful experience for anyone curious about what lies beneath the surface.

In the gallery’s second space (Space II), the atmosphere shifts completely with Georgian artist Anna K.E.’s “Cardinal Directions.” In contrast to Dammann’s earth tones, here we enter a bright, vibrant, and energetic world.

Enamel and Energy

Anna K.E. uses the traditional enamel technique—melting glass powder at high heat—to create smooth, glossy surfaces. The geometric patterns and triangular formations in these works wink at traditional Georgian motifs while functioning like mandalas that organize the energy of the space.

With these abstract maps, the artist aims to position the viewer in a universal, geographical, and social space. As 2025 draws to a close, spending some time in front of these colorful enamel works might help you find your own “cardinal directions.”

If you’re in Berlin, make your way to this gallery on the edge of Kreuzberg for an artistic farewell to 2025—December 31 is the last day.