The Politics of Time: An Interview with Lesia Vasylchenko
Kyiv-born, Norway-based artist Lesia Vasylchenko works across video, photography and installation, examining how technological infrastructures reshape perception, memory and historical time. Her research-driven practice moves between satellite imaging, synthetic media and media archaeology while drawing equally on Ukrainian folklore and personal histories. Through these intersections…
Queer Art in the GDR: An Interview with Stephan Koal
When the world begins to change in ways that seem difficult to stomach, we tend to step towards the past, looking for sympathy but finding empathy. In the upcoming exhibition, ‘QUEER ART IN THE GDR? Biographies between Underground and Propaganda,’ a certain social and political history is examined through its artists, in such a way that, despite feeling like a different world…
Open Call for Berlin Art Week 2026 Featured Section
Berlin Art Week is now accepting applications for its Featured section as part of the 15th edition of the festival, taking place from September 9th to 13th, 2026. This open call invites Berlin-based art initiatives, project spaces, municipal institutions and special projects to submit proposals to expand the festival’s program. The Featured section highlights projects in newly discovered…
Journey of Transformation and Growth: The Inspiring Story of Akshada Bhagat
Her journey is a powerful example of transformation, where determination meets opportunity and persistence turns dreams into reality. Akshada Bhagat’s story begins in a small town, where life was simple, resources were limited, and exposure to the outside world was minimal. Despite these constraints, she always carried within her a strong sense of ambition and a desire to achieve something meaningful in life.
From an early stage, Akshada understood that growth required stepping beyond comfort zones. While her surroundings may not have offered many opportunities, her mindset was always focused on learning, improving, and becoming better with each passing day. She believed that her current circumstances did not define her future, and this belief became the foundation of her journey.
A significant turning point in her life came when she became a part of Pride. This phase was not just the beginning of a professional career but also the start of a complete transformation in her personality and outlook. Pride provided her with a platform where she could explore her potential, discover her strengths, and gain confidence in her abilities. It was here that she began to see herself not just as someone with dreams, but as someone capable of achieving them.
The initial days were not easy. Like any new journey, it came with its own set of challenges. She had to adapt to a new environment, learn new skills, and overcome self-doubt. There were moments of uncertainty and difficulty, but she chose to face them with courage rather than fear. Her willingness to learn from every experience, whether success or failure, became one of her strongest qualities.
With time, Akshada started to grow both personally and professionally. She became more confident, more skilled, and more aware of her capabilities. Each challenge she faced helped her become stronger, and each achievement motivated her to aim higher. She understood that growth is a continuous process, and she embraced every opportunity to improve herself.
One of the most remarkable aspects of her journey is the fulfillment of her childhood dreams. What once seemed distant and almost impossible gradually became a reality. She got the opportunity to travel across seven countries, an experience that not only broadened her horizons but also transformed her perspective on life. These experiences taught her valuable lessons about different cultures, adaptability, and the importance of stepping out of one’s comfort zone.
Traveling to new places and meeting people from diverse backgrounds helped her develop a global outlook. It made her realize that the world is full of opportunities for those who are willing to take risks and explore. These experiences were not just achievements but milestones that reflected how far she had come from her humble beginnings.
Another crucial factor in her journey has been the role of mentorship. The guidance and support she received along the way played a significant role in shaping her mindset. Mentors helped her understand how to deal with challenges, manage pressure, and stay focused on her goals. Their insights and encouragement gave her the strength to keep moving forward even during tough times.
Akshada learned that success is not just about reaching a destination but about growing through the journey. She developed resilience, patience, and the ability to stay positive in difficult situations. These qualities became the pillars of her success and helped her navigate through various phases of her life.
Today, Akshada Bhagat stands as a symbol of strength, determination, and transformation. From a simple beginning to an empowered and confident individual, her journey reflects the power of belief, hard work, and consistency. She has proven that no matter where you come from, what truly matters is your willingness to grow and your courage to chase your dreams.
Her story is not just about personal success but also about inspiring others. It serves as a reminder that every challenge is an opportunity to learn, every struggle is a step towards growth, and every dream is achievable with the right mindset and effort.
Akshada’s journey continues, with new goals, new challenges, and new achievements waiting ahead. But one thing remains constant—her commitment to growth and her belief in herself. Her story is a testament to the fact that transformation is possible for anyone who is willing to work for it and never give up.
In the end, her journey teaches us that an ordinary life can become extraordinary with determination, the right guidance, and the courage to take the first step.
Laughter at the Threshold: ‘Finite Jest’ at Sophiensaele
What’s worse than the insincerity of comedy as a response to the grave? The performance of sincerity. Unsolicited, self-serving gestures of moral goodness; the arrogance of assuming one’s offers, made “in good faith,” are what the sick, suffering and dying want and need. Worse still is the offence felt by the good-giver when their well-meaning gestures don’t land as expected. Melanie Jame Wolf…
Seven Years, One Organization, Endless Growth: A Career Built on Trust
Her journey proves that leadership can grow from consistency, not just change.
In a time when frequent job changes are common, one HR leader’s story shows that long-term commitment can also lead to success.
She started her professional journey at a young age and gradually moved into Human Resources without prior experience. The trust shown by her management helped her grow step by step, learning the real meaning of responsibility.
Over the years, she stayed with the same organization, understanding its people, systems, and challenges deeply. Her role slowly expanded beyond HR into coordination, planning, and management support.
Because of her reliability, she became the person everyone depended on when something important had to be handled smoothly.
Eventually, she was promoted to Head of Human Resources and later given the additional role of Head Coordinator, recognizing the work she had already been doing behind the scenes for years.
Her journey shows that growth is not always about moving forward fast — sometimes it is about staying steady.
The Week Mar. 23–29, 2026
Group Show: ‘QUEERE KUNST IN DER DDR?’ Opening Reception & Book Launch with Distanz Verlag: Wednesday, Mar. 25; 6–9pm Exhibition: Mar. 28–June 28, 2026 kvost.de/en Leipziger Straße 47, 10117 Berlin, click here for map Andreas Fux: ‘Handelszentrum Friedrichstraße’, Berlin, 1985, Fotografie // Courtesy of Andreas Fux und KVOST, Berlin Group Show: ‘QUEERE KUNST IN DER DDR?
Turning Creativity into Career: The Professional Rise of Suresh Chapele
Transforming creativity into a sustainable career is a challenge many aspiring artists face. It requires not only talent, but also strategy, adaptability, and continuous learning. Suresh Chapele’s professional journey is a compelling example of how passion can evolve into a successful career through determination and discipline.
After completing his Bachelor of Fine Arts, Suresh realized that artistic skill alone was not enough to build a stable profession. He understood the need to bridge creativity with practical application. This realization led him to explore graphic design a field where art meets functionality.
Learning design tools, typography, layouts, and visual communication opened new possibilities for him. It allowed him to understand how creativity could be applied to real-world problems, from branding to digital content. This shift marked a significant transition from traditional art to applied creativity.
Moving to Pune, Suresh entered a competitive professional environment. His first role as a Background Artist in an Android gaming studio provided valuable industry exposure. Here, he learned about deadlines, teamwork, and the importance of delivering consistent quality.
However, his career path was not linear. Personal challenges forced him to pause his professional journey, creating uncertainty and financial difficulties. Restarting was not easy, but his resilience helped him push forward.
In 2019, Suresh joined Pride Group as a Graphic Designer a turning point in his career. With dedication and a strong work ethic, he consistently improved his skills and contributed meaningfully to projects. His ability to combine creativity with strategic thinking helped him stand out.
Within three years, he was promoted to Design Head. This role required more than technical skills it demanded leadership, decision-making, and the ability to guide creative teams. Suresh successfully adapted to these responsibilities, proving his capability as both a designer and a leader.
His journey highlights an important lesson for professionals: success is not just about talent, but about consistency, adaptability, and mindset. By continuously learning and evolving, Suresh transformed his passion into a thriving career.
“From Opportunity to Achievement: A Career Built on Learning and Persistence”
My career journey did not begin with confidence or clarity, it began with opportunity and the willingness to learn. Coming from Solapur, my early life was focused on doing whatever work I could to support my family, and although those days were difficult, they built a mindset of persistence within me. After years of effort and struggle, a major turning point came through my sister, who played a crucial role in opening a door that would eventually change my life. Because of her support, I got an opportunity to attend an interview at Pride, and although the process itself was not very difficult, getting selected meant everything to me because it marked the beginning of my professional journey. When I joined, I was someone who had no understanding of how a professional environment worked, I did not know how to communicate in a corporate setting, how to behave in an office, or how to present myself among experienced people, but what I did have was the willingness to learn and the determination to improve. My sister and my seniors became my biggest support system during this phase, they guided me at every step, corrected me when I made mistakes, and helped me understand the standards required in a professional world, and I made sure to stay connected with them, observe them, and learn from every interaction. Slowly, I started developing myself, I began understanding workplace culture, communication, and responsibilities, and I worked consistently on improving my skills. My passion and dedication started reflecting in my work, and I did not limit myself to only completing tasks, I focused on learning beyond my role, I started interacting with different people, including businessmen and professionals from various backgrounds, which helped me gain valuable market knowledge and exposure. I learned how to communicate smartly, how to understand people, and how to handle conversations in a way that helped achieve results, and these skills gradually built my confidence. With time, my hard work started showing results, I was recognized for my efforts and eventually got promoted, and along with that, my salary also increased. That phase was very emotional and meaningful for me because I could clearly see the difference between my past and my present, there was a time when even a single rupee mattered to me, and now I was earning through my own efforts in a professional environment, it was not just growth in career, it was growth in life. However, the biggest turning point came when I got the opportunity to move to Dubai with my company, it felt like starting a new chapter all over again, a new country, a new work culture, new people, and completely different expectations. Once again, I found myself in a situation where I had to learn and adapt quickly, I started interacting with new people from different cultures, understanding a global work environment, and adjusting to a new lifestyle. It was not easy at all, there were challenges at every step, but I did not step back because by then, I had already built a strong mindset through my past experiences. I continued learning, improving, and pushing myself beyond my limits, and throughout this journey, the support of my seniors remained constant, they motivated me, guided me, and helped me grow in ways I had never imagined. Today, when I look at myself, I see a completely different person from the one who first joined without any knowledge of professional work, I see growth, confidence, and stability, and I proudly say that I have built a successful career in my field. Whatever I have achieved today is not just because of my hard work, but also because of the guidance, trust, and continuous support I received from my seniors, they have played a major role in shaping my journey, and their belief in me pushed me to become better every single day. My career journey is not just about promotions or salary growth, it is about transformation, learning, and the courage to step into new challenges without fear, and I strongly believe that no matter where you start, if you are willing to learn, stay consistent, and work hard, you can create a path that changes your life completely.
Dissolving Boundaries: ‘K-NOW! Korean Video Art Today’ at MASI Lugano
Overlooking Lake Lugano in Switzerland, the three-story museum MASI Lugano recently opened ‘K-NOW! Korean Video Art Today,’ bringing together the works of eight Korean artists in an immersive exploration of South Korea’s contemporary art scene. Situated at a geographic and cultural crossroads between the north and south of the Alps and between Latin and Germanic Europe, the museum has served as a…