CARETAKERS explores repair and care as aesthetic, social, and emotional practices. The format combines an exhibition, workshops, and performative actions, inviting visitors to experience repair and care on multiple levels.
During the exhibition, creatives from various disciplines will share performative insights into their processes. In workshops, visitors can actively participate under the guidance of artists and craftspeople, experimenting with “care” techniques and learning how objects can be restored, made functional, or imbued with renewed significance through attentive intervention.
CARETAKERS is a curated format, initiated by fashion designer Johanna Perret (formerly Perret Schaad) and co-curated with gallery director Maj van der Linden.
Workshops & Performances
Repair Patching Workshop / Sunday, 22.2.2026, 2 – 5 pm
Eugenie Schmidt and Johanna Perret
Join us for a hands-on repair workshop set in the middle of the Caretakers exhibition. Together, we’ll explore damage and visible repair using your own woven garment that needs mending, reinforcement or hiding a stain.
You’ll experiment with fabrics and create your own patch from Eugenies and Johannas fabric library: a curated selection of the most beautiful materials: italian silk, japanese denim, swiss cotton, austrian loden- in different colours, qualities and patterns.
No prior sewing experience is needed- it’s all about the experience of working with your hands and combining fabrics to create a surprising, beautiful or ironic repair- up to you!
The goal is joy and repair as an act of resistance against throwaway culture.
Workshop language: German/English
Bring: your own broken, woven (non stretchy) pieces. We will provide fabrics, if you prefer to practice!
You will receive:
About Eugenie and Johanna:
Eugenie Schmidt and Johanna Perret met while studying fashion design at Kunsthochschule Berlin Weißensee. Since her graduate collection in 2009, Eugenie has been rigorously exploring upcycling as core design principle. Today, she creates thoughtfully crafted pieces under her label SCHMITD.
Johanna Perret was the co-founder of the fashion brand Perret Schaad and now works across multiple projects focused on circular economy models in fashion. She initiated the Caretakers exhibition and workshop format, creating a platform for dialogue and hands-on engagement around care.
Visible Mending Workshop / Sunday, 1.3.2026, 2 – 5 pm
Tomo Pook
In her hands-on visible mending workshop, textile designer Tomo Pook invites you to explore repair as a poetic and tender act of care. You’ll learn how to repair small holes in knitted garments such as sweaters or socks- making them wearable again and extending their life.
This workshop focuses on working with your hands and reconnecting with your clothes. No prior experience is required.
Repair is approached as a joyful, practical act- and as a quiet resistance to throwaway culture.
Workshop language: German/English
Bring:
You will receive:
About Tomo:
Berlin-based textile designer Tomo Pook, was born in 1972 in Japan. She grew up surrounded by sewing materials and tools, as her mother was a dressmaker and a kimono dresser.
Since 2024, Tomo has been focusing on textile maintenance and repair, especially wool knits, offering darning workshops and mending services. She finds great joy and satisfaction in applying the knowledge and skills she has gained over many years in textiles to help people restore valuable knitwear—or truly one-of-a-kind pieces—so they can be worn longer, while also contributing to the reduction of unnecessary textile waste. She is the owner of online store toolly.com offering darning tools and sustainable sewing tools.
Hand Embroidery Workshop / Thursday, 5.3.2026, 5 – 8 pm
Damaja
In her hands-on embroidery workshop, textile artist Damaja invites participants to explore the art of handstitching.
Set in the middle of the Caretakers exhibition, you will be teached to repair with hand embroidery or create your custom design. Choose from a variety of forms and initials or draw your own design.
Workshop language: English
Limited to 10 attendants
Bring:
You will receive:
About Stefanija:
Stefanija Pejchinovska, who works behind the name Damaja, is a Berlin-based embroidery artist. With a diploma in architecture and inherited passion for textile arts, she has devoted her life to hand embroidery. Her work explores current social and cultural topics, through a blend of traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics and conscientious attention to detail.
Bookbinding Performance and open call to bring your damaged books, games and boxes / Saturday, 21.3.2026, 2 – 5 pm
Henriette Artz
In this open, live performance, Berlin-based illustrator and bookbinder Henriette Artz will work in the gallery on the repair and rebinding of paper objects. Visitors are invited to observe her process up close and engage in conversation.
Guests are welcome to bring damaged books, games or boxes in need of repair or rebinding. Artz will discuss individual possibilities for repairing and the creation of one-of-a-kind pieces.
About Henriette Artz:
Henriette “Jette” Artz is a Berlin-based illustrator and bookbinder, currently working at “Buchbinderei Klünder”, one of Berlin’s oldest bookbinding ateliers.
Kintsugi Performance and Open call to bring broken pottery / Saturday, 18.4.2026, 2 – 5 pm
Ai Moliya
In this open, live performance, artist Ai Moliya will work in the gallery using kintsugi, the traditional Japanese technique of repairing broken ceramics with urushi lacquer and gold. Visitors are invited to observe her process up close and engage in conversation.
Guests are welcome to bring broken, chipped, or cracked ceramic pieces for repair. Ai Moliya will discuss individual possibilities for restoration and how damaged objects can be transformed into functional, one-of-a-kind pieces. Kintsugi celebrates the beauty of repair, revealing value and continuity where something once appeared broken.
About Ai Moliya:
Ai Moliya works with traditional Japanese kintsugi techniques, using authentic urushi lacquer and real gold powder. Her practice emphasizes care, longevity, and the appreciation of new beauty that emerges through repair. Ai Moliya is a multidisciplinary artist from Japan, practicing the art of kintsugi. Kintsugi is the traditional Japanese technique of repairing broken, chipped or cracked ceramics & decorating the joined parts with gold. Apparently worthless shards are transformed into beautiful works of art through kintsugi repair. In the time-honored process, there is a culture of appreciating a new beauty in the broken.
Leather Care Workshop / Sunday, 19.4.2026, 1 – 4 pm
Philipp Bree
In his leather care workshop, Philipp Bree- founder of the bag company PB 0110 and an expert in craftsmanship- shares the principles of maintaining and preserving cherished leather pieces.
Set in the middle of the Caretakers exhibition, the participants will learn practical techniques for cleaning, nourishing, and protecting leather so it ages with dignity and character.
Bring your own leather good and give it a treat! Philipp will also talk about quality and share his deep knowledge about repair. If you have broken leather pieces, bring them, Philipp will advice on repair options.
Workshop language: German/English
Bring:
You will receive:
About Philipp Bree, PB0110:
Philipp is the founder of PB0110 and convinced, that: “Beloved objects not only have great personal significance, but in my view they can also make an important contribution to sustainability and future consumption.”
CARETAKERS
On display:
February 14 – April 25, 2026
Opening times:
Fridays & Saturdays, 2 – 6 pm
or by appointment
MAJ VAN DER LINDEN
Veteranenstraße 15
10119 Berlin
