Student Artists Thrive at NYU Berlin

Justyn Anderson, also in Interdisciplinary Projects, transformed part of St. Agnes’ upper floor with their video installation, titled technobody. Justyn’s love and appreciation for techno music inspired the installation. “A lot of times, we’re given a prompt or guidelines for how we make things,” Justyn says. “I really enjoyed this class because it forced me to think about what I want to do as an artist and then make that decision for myself.”

Student artists in Interdisciplinary Projects relied on the support of Jennifer Porto, arts coordinator at NYU Berlin. She was always there to lend a hand when hurdles arose. “I was looking for a cellophane material that I couldn’t find anywhere in Germany. She helped me find it,” recalls Justyn. “It was an above-and-beyond thing to do.”

Finding Inspiration in Berlin

There are few better cities for artists to spend a semester than Berlin. When she studied there, Lainey Dean felt it right away. “There’s a reverence for artists and art making in Berlin that I’d never experienced,” she says. “The work I made in Berlin I could only have made in that context.” Lainey experimented with texture in her works for Interdisciplinary Projects, using unconventional materials like reclaimed wood to display her photography.

Outside of their own artistic practice, art students at NYU Berlin visit local studios and galleries and enjoy class presentations by guest artists. They intern with galleries, museums, and artist studios as well as in arts administration, fashion, graphic design, and many other areas.

“It’s always a thrill to see how students embrace what they find here in Berlin and allow it to seep into their creations,” says Porto. “And of course, Open Studio is a brilliant highlight of the year for the entire NYU Berlin community.”

The Big Reveal

As the fall semester drew to a close, students in Interdisciplinary Projects readied themselves for Open Studio. The group had grown very close, exchanging ideas and encouraging one another throughout the experience. When it came time for the showcase, they felt a mix of excitement, nervousness, and pride in their accomplishments. 

“It felt like a pivotal moment to see it considered by so many new people,” shares Lainey. “And it was a great way to connect with the community I’d built in Berlin, and contribute to the Berlin art scene in my own way. It was really moving to realize how far I’d come since the beginning of my time in the program. It meant a lot to see that growth right in front of me and share it with other people.”