The Art World WFH: Julia Stoschek

See how this German collector #WorksFromHome [Image]( [Image] The art world may be on lockdown, but it certainly does not stop. During this unprecedented time, we’re checking in with art-world professionals, collectors, and artists to get a glimpse into how they are working from home. Prominent German art collector Julia Stoschek is known for her focus on time-based work, and video art in particular. Since launching her public collection in 2007, Stoschek has mounted numerous acclaimed exhibitions, including solo presentations of artists such as Elaine Sturtevant and [Arthur Jafa](. Beginning last year, time-based works from outside the collection have also been shared in succession in both Düsseldorf and Berlin, including a recent presentation by [Meriem Bennani](. Now that physical exhibition spaces are closed to the public, Stoshek is working to ensure that many of the works in her Düsseldorf- and Berlin-based collections [are now available online](, including video works by Wolfgang Tillmans, Barbara Hammer, and [Cao Fei]( which can now be streamed online. Read on to learn about how the collector is spending her time, which dealers' online platforms she is tuning into, and her newest hobby, baking. [Image] Where is your new “office”? To be perfectly honest: I spend a lot of time in the collection, which is now closed to the public, of course. There I have my peace and quiet and can think and work conceptually. At the moment we have regular team Zoom meetings and I have once again found that we are an excellent team. What are you working on right now (and were any projects of yours interrupted by the lockdown)? We are making the collection accessible online, this is our main project at the moment. There are more than 850 works in my collection to date and we are trying to show as many of them as possible online. This is an offer for the friends of our collection who would like to view the works, but unfortunately are not allowed to do so at the moment due to the circumstances. I believe art must be accessible at any time and it was always a vision of mine to put the collection online. We have already uploaded more than 60 selected works onto to [our website](. We receive daily inquiries from all over the world about this. Because of the pandemic, I’m also producing a video series on Instagram called “[Julias’s Most Wanted](,” in which I personally present my favorite works from the collection that can already be streamed online. How has your work changed now that you are doing it from home? Since I have the luck to be able to work out of the collection, I can easily separate my private life from work. At home, I am 100 percent mother and take care of my son. However, I have noticed that due to technology I communicate almost as closely and frequently within the team as before. I like that. [Image] The foyer of the JSC Berlin, which has been closed to the public. Photo: Robert Hamacher, Berlin. What are you reading, both online and off? I read the news online during the day, that is unavoidable. So-called message tickers and mails, what you use and need. I also enjoy reading the blog [Ribbonfarm]( by Venkatesh Rao, because it offers unusual takes on both familiar and new themes. Sitting down reading the newspaper is an offline pleasure. Same with a book. Probably the most spectacular one this year: [Hilma af Klimt’s biography]( written by the former editor of the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, Julia Voss. A wonderful book about a fascinating and inspiring woman. Have you visited any good virtual exhibitions recently? I like following what Johann König is doing with his gallery online during these times. I also liked “[Platform](,” a gallery initiative put up by David Zwirner to exhibit online. It’s very clear and thought through. What is the first place you want to travel to once this is over? I have an unquenchable longing for Israel. For the people, the hospitality, the sounds, and the smell of the kitchen. Some time ago we had an exhibition in Tel Aviv which was very well received by the public. From this time many warm encounters have turned into real friendships. I am very grateful for this. [Image] Britta Thie, Three Infomercials (2016), one of the works from the Stoschek Collection currently available online. Courtesy of the Stoschek Collection. If you are feeling stuck while self-isolating, what’s your best method for getting un-stuck? It helps me to know that the people around me are always there for me, and I for them. The poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote a classic called “The Elective Affinities” (Die Wahlverwandtschaften). I think that’s quite true. What was the last TV show, movie, or YouTube video you watched? Unfortunately, I rarely get the chance to watch movies. But I actually like movies and well-done documentaries very much. I recently rediscovered Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane. I had forgotten the plot because it had been some time since I saw the film for the first time. When you consider that the film was made in 1941 and how topical it still is today, you know what a great filmmaker Welles was. If you could have one famous work of art with you, what would it be? I have my favorite famous artists at home already like Polke, Mueller, and works by Genzken and Tillmans. And I am very grateful for this. [Image] Chocolate cake. Photo by Goran Kosanovic for The Washington Post via Getty Images. What are you most looking forward to doing once social distancing has been lifted? Going out dancing. Going out to eat. Meeting friends: everything that I like to do with other people. It’s just that simple. Have you taken up any new hobbies? My collection is my vocation. We have two locations, one in Berlin and one in Düsseldorf that need to be maintained. So there is little time for other passions. But I recently got into baking! Favorite recipe to cook at home? Best chocolate cake in the world: - 200g butter - 200g bittersweet chocolate (min 70% cacao) - 200g almonds - 200g sugar - 1 package vanilla sugar - 1 pinch of salt - ½ package of baking powder - Icing sugar to decorate First melt the butter with the chocolate. Then mix this with all the other ingredients and put the dough in the oven: 40 minutes with 160 degrees Celsius. Very easy but amazing. [Instagram]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [Pinterest]( [LinkedIn]( Having trouble viewing this email? Click [here](. This email was sent by Artnet Worldwide Corporation. To unsubscribe, click [here](. For more information, please contact us at marketing@artnet.com or view the [artnet Privacy Policy](.