The exhibition is part of the broader vision of one. When I first got to know the team at PRESENCE through an internship, I was immediately fascinated by the space and the surrounding. It didn’t take long before it became clear that we had to collaborate on a project at some point. Since I had already known well before founding one.that I wanted to exhibit the works I collect, it turned out to be the perfect opportunity. There are several reasons behind this attitude. For one, art simply belongs in public spaces. Even in a subway station, artworks gain far greater visibility than they would if they were confined to private homes, where only a limited and selected audience gets to see them. Another aspect that really drives me is bringing people together. Art is incredibly powerful in this regard, it provokes, it challenges, and it creates a foundation for conversation. I remember during the opening how many of our guests were initially struck, even slightly unsettled by the large-scale painting “Spielstunde” by Konrad Weichs in the entrance. Everyone who walked in was immediately drawn to it, and many stood in front of it, engaging in discussion.

one of one. is not only a starting point, but also a reflection of our time. The show is not based on a deep research. It is more about the question: What defines our time? That’s why I chose to engage with themes such as social inequality, digital culture, consumerism, and questions of gender. From the beginning, it felt essential to focus on more contemporary works. The oldest piece in the exhibition, “Nazi Hunter” by Paul Hutchinson from 2018, still addresses a subject that remains highly relevant today. Another key question for me as someone who grew up in the digital age was what motivates people today to still engage with the physical, with the analog. In this sense, the exhibition also attempts to offer a perspective on what lies ahead.

It’s less about aesthetics or specific media what matters far more are the artists, their perspective, and the themes they engage with. This requires a certain level of intuition, but without becoming emotional. Much of it is rooted in research, but also in developing a sensitivity to the present moment: what is shaping our time, what drives us as a society, and how a work might respond to or reflect those forces. When it comes to younger artists in particular, I place great value on passion and resilience. It’s important that they truly stand behind their work but even more so that they continue to defend it, especially in the face of the harshest criticism. It is important that we, as the younger generation, stand up for what we believe in, because we will still be living in this world tomorrow.

one. is compelling because it’s unconventional and uncomplicated. I think the opening of one of one.here in Berlin really reinforced that. There was a wide range of people from different industries, especially since the artists and PRESENCE brought in their own networks as well. That created a particularly interesting mix—across backgrounds, but also across generations. What matters to me is that one. gives people access to art, and creates a space where conversations can happen beyond one’s own bubble—where you meet new people and engage in unexpected dialogue.

It’s actually quite simple to explain. At some point, collecting art just for my own walls became too limiting. I’m someone who’s constantly moving, not great at sitting still—so one. has evolved into more of a media house or platform. This way, far more people can engage with it than they ever could with a traditional private collection. We’re continuously evolving whether through the one.voice podcast, this exhibition, or other formats that are still to come. It’s no longer just about art.  At its core, it’s always about making interesting voices visible and opening up a space for dialogue.

With one., we create visibility—visibility for the platform itself, but also for emerging artists. Many of the works within one. come from very young artists, some of whom are still studying at art academies. Supporting them at this stage is incredibly important. At the same time, we go beyond visibility through social media. PRESENCE created outstanding designs for several billboards across Berlin, bringing the exhibition directly into the public space. I also hope that with one. we can encourage especially younger people to engage with art in whatever form that may take.

Staying progressive is essential. The exhibition was a great success, and the entire process of organising it brought me a lot of joy. In particular, the collaboration with PRESENCE was excellent on every level. However, it’s important not to rest on that success. Just a few days after the opening, I already started acquiring new works again—so the foundation for a second exhibition, two of one., is already in place. At the same time, I’m taking my time with it, because one. has always been about quality and depth. We also have inspiring guests lined up for the one.voice podcast. It continues with new projects, new ideas, and a stronger sense of disruption.