Exhibiting in a Retirement Residence
Christopher Lehmpfuhl at Tertianum Residenz Berlin
Exhibition view “In the Changing Light” © Yves Sucksdorff.
Exhibitions usually take us to the expected places of art, such as museums and galleries. However, the exhibition ‘In the Changing Light’ by Christopher Lehmpfuhl, represented by the Kornfeld Galerie in Berlin, is being presented in an unconventional location: the upscale Tertianum retirement residence in Berlin-Charlottenburg, near Kurfürstendamm. The exhibition is not only accessible to the nearly 100 residents, but is also open to the public free of charge every day. Upon entering the residence, visitors are greeted by a light-filled and architecturally striking atrium. How fitting. Light is the theme here.
Lehmpfuhl brings Berlin street scenes, special architectural details, and urban snapshots to paper with watercolour. These small-format images take us to familiar places in the capital, such as the TV tower, Wittenbergplatz, Grunewald and Kreuzberg. With great appreciation for his hometown and a sharp eye, the artist captures fleeting moments in which light transforms the places entirely.
Berlin Mitte, 2025, © Christopher Lehmpfuhl and KORNFELD Galerie Berlin.
The Berlin-based artist’s connection to his hometown is clear. Although he enjoys travelling for professional and personal reasons, he keeps returning to his roots, as he revealed in a personal conversation. The big city always offers new perspectives and is an inexhaustible source of inspiration. As well as landmarks, squares and building facades, the artist also captures interior scenes that create a special atmosphere through warm light. These small details give the watercolours a feeling of warmth and cosiness. A view from the doorstep or from the stairs, for example, can also inspire the next work. This is why Lehmpfuhl is always prepared and carries his painting equipment with him. This has established him as a leading plein air painter in Germany, a style with roots in Impressionism.
Lehmpfuhl’s works are characterised by a clear and understandable visual language. They are not necessarily realistic, yet they still convey aspects of reality. The works and their image elements do not require much explanation. They convey moods that resonate beyond the walls of Tertianum. They are easily accessible to people of all ages and their meaning is not complicated. They convey a feeling of lightness and preserve fleeting moments for eternity.
Image: Exhibition view “In the Changing Light” © Yves Sucksdorff.
It’s a wonderful and thoughtful idea to make art accessible to older people who may no longer be able to travel long distances to visit exhibitions. Meanwhile, numerous studies have repeatedly reported on the positive effects that viewing art can have on mental health. This project should definitely be pursued nationwide, providing elderly people in nursing homes and residential facilities with straightforward access to contemporary art.
When? The exhibition “In the Changing Light” is still on view until November 23, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 2nd floor of Tertianum Residence. Entry is free – just briefly register at the reception. On November 18 at 3 p.m., there will be an art talk with the artist about art, life, and change.
Where? Tertianum Residenz Berlin, Passauer Straße 5–7, 10789 Berlin