Fall Exhibitions I’m Excited About, Tiramisu Pop-up, and fresh shopping spots in Berlin!

Agenda Edition #21 / 27.-29.09 / Current mood: Lost in transition

Hi, and welcome back to agenda - got plans?, a newsletter featuring a curated selection of art, design, and fashion events in Berlin. I'm Kate, a freelance journalist, Berlin local, and art lover. I hope my newsletter makes it a bit easier for you to navigate everything this city has to offer.

How are you? I have the feeling my friends and I are all somehow in transition. It’s not just the shift from summer to autumn—with long, warm evenings giving way to flu season and cozy nights in—but also those bigger life transitions: searching for new apartments, career changes, and exploring fresh opportunities and spaces. Berlin, too, feels like it’s been in a bit of a lull these past two weeks. There’s always something happening, but with Fashion Week taking the spotlight in other cities, Berlin seemed to press pause for a moment.

But the spotlight will shift back to our city this weekend for the Berlin Marathon. Be prepared for crowds of athletes and spectators, and brace yourself for some serious traffic chaos! Good luck to everyone running—and if you're looking to escape the sports madness, here are some tips for your weekend.

#1 Fall exhibitions I’m exited about

I haven’t had the chance to visit many art exhibitions in the past two weeks, which makes me a bit sad, because it's one of the best things to do in Berlin. That said, there are a few exhibitions on my bucket list right now that I’d recommend checking out this weekend:

1. “After Images” at Julia Stoschek Foundation
   
   This multimedia exhibition features over 30 works, including six new commissions and interventions that explore an expanded definition of time-based art. I personally love the Julia Stoschek Collection (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)'s space and its focus on contemporary art. It's quite a large venue, with an emphasis on video art, so be sure to plan enough time for your visit!

   
   

2. “To be a Piece of Meat or a Meat Cleaver?“ by Cao Zai Fei at Center for Visual Arts
   
   Yes, it takes some time to reach this hidden gem, but the exhibitions are well worth the journey. Check out the latest exhibition at the Center for Visual Arts Berlin (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) in Lichterfelde West. It’s the first solo exhibition in Europe by Chinese artist Cao Zai Fei, showcasing paintings and videos of his performance art. His work delves into the profound changes in Chinese society, blending surrealism with reality to create thought-provoking narratives.

Once you're done with the exhibition, don't rush out of Lichterfelde just yet (even if it’s tempting). I recommend stopping by Artigiani (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), an authentic Italian ice cream shop within walking distance of the gallery, for a sweet treat before heading home!

3. “Berlin, Berlin”– 20 years of the Helmut Newton Foundation

In 1979, the newly relaunched German Vogue commissioned Helmut Newton to revisit his childhood and youth in West Berlin, capturing the city's spirit through the lens of contemporary fashion. The result was a multi-page portfolio titled Berlin, Berlin!—which now inspires the name of this anniversary exhibition. As a fan of fashion photography and Berlin, I’ll definitely be checking out the exhibition (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) this fall.

#2 Get some Tiramisu at Isla Berlin

If, like me, you’ve got a sweet tooth right now, make sure to check out the Tiramisu pop-up by Peruvian chef Arianna Plevisani at Isla Berlin this Saturday.

Yes, it’ll probably be crowded – but hey, it’s Berlin Mitte, it’s Ari’s (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre), and it’s Isla. While satisfying your sugar cravings, don’t forget to check out some Buffalo archive pieces, including collaborations like Vivienne Westwood x Buffalo, 032c x Buffalo, and more, which will also be available for purchase.

Tiramisu Pop-up
Saturday, 28.09, 14:00-18:00
Location: Isla Berlin
More info (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)

#3 Did you already check out Embassade Berlin?

This has been on my bucket list for two weeks now: If you haven’t heard of it, Embassade is a new fashion and art destination in Berlin Mitte. It’s a concept store and gallery featuring contemporary artists, Berlin-based designers, and premium vintage pieces. If you’re as curious as I am, check out their Artist Day on Saturday from 13:00 to 22:00, with an artist tour by Shona Stark and music by Christoph Faust.

Embassade Berlin
Wednesday - Saturday, 11:00 -19:00
Location: Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 36, 10178 Berlin
More Info (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)

#4 Have you seen the “Missing red jacket” signs all over Berlin?

I enjoy good advertising, and their signs really caught my eye: The Room (an Antwerp-based e-commerce platform for clothing) is hosting a pop-up in Berlin this week, and I have to admit, their marketing got me. I would describe their fashion as very Instagram-worthy, with a "clean girl" aesthetic but a Gen Z twist. I have no idea about the quality of the garments or whether they justify the price (a top is around €65). So if it’s a flop, please don’t hold it against me.

The Room Antwerp Pop-up
25.-28.09, 10:00 - 18:00
Location: Gipsstraße 11, 10119 Berlin
More info (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)

#5 Last Chance: Don’t miss out on Andy Warhol at Neue Nationalgalerie

You probably took advantage of one of the free-entry Thursdays this summer to see the Andy Warhol exhibition at the Neue Nationalgalerie… but if you missed it – like I did?! – the next two weekends are your last chance to catch it before it closes on October 6th.

If you're planning to visit on Saturday, be sure to also join the expert talk (16:00 - 17:30) with professional belly dancer, DJ, and drag queen Prince Emrah on the topic of all-gender beauty. It's free of charge, but advance registration is required.

“Velvet beauty” exhibition and expert talk
Location: Neue Nationalgalerie
More Info and rsvp (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre)

If you enjoy my tips and picks, please subscribe to this newsletter (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) to have it delivered to your inbox every week, just in time for the weekend! Feel free to write me at agenda.gotplans@gmail.com (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) if you want to share a recommendation, or have any feedback or suggestions.

P.S. I’m still figuring out the best way to manage agenda – got plans? for October, so I might not publish it every week, or perhaps only in a shorter format. Since these picks are never sponsored and I’m currently moving flats while also working full-time, I’m exploring a concept that works for me.

If you enjoy agenda – got plans? and want to see it grow, you can support my work with a membership for just €3/month. Your support will give me more time to research and create new content, such as interviews and in-depth stories.

I hope you have a fantastic weekend!
Kate from agenda - got plans?

+++

P.S. Make sure to follow agenda - got plans? on Tiktok (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre) and Instagram (S'ouvre dans une nouvelle fenêtre).