After two years of lockdowns, isolation and online events only, Dead Darlings is finally stepping back into the limelight this February, with a real live auction, with a real live audience, and to top it all off it’s all taking place in Berlin!

We are getting back on stage quite literally, as the auction is hosted by the fabulous Heimathafen theater in Neukölln, in conjunction with TBC’s show — Spuren des Kollektiven at Galerie im Saalbau.

Following this time in confinement, we are also feeling a tiny bit timid and apprehensive about stepping out of the shadows into the spotlight and out of our comfort zone in Amsterdam, to produce our first show in Berlin all at the same time. 

This got us thinking: What does it take to move from stage-fright to limelight?

This theatrical backdrop inspires us to consider all those works that haven’t yet had their moment in the spot-light.

We’ve all killed darlings that were too shy for the spotlight, or ones that took too much attention from the rest of the cast... Can this piece be placed center stage, or does it belong in the shadows? Is it an understudy or does it have the potential to be a protagonist? 

For this edition, we want you to look for the artworks that inhabit that dichotomy. 

Whether they were too shy, or so bold they made you shy, too raw, too true, too soon, or too reluctant to show themselves…

Whatever the reason you killed this darling somewhere between stage-fright and the limelight, we want it for our show! 

Send us your stage-shy Darlings; send us your murdered Superstars and let us put them onstage and finally shine that spot-light on them!

To submit your work to
Dead Darlings #14 — From Stage-fright to Limelight
fill out this FORM

Deadline for submissions: 14 January 2022

Dead Darlings #14 — From Stage-fright to Limelight
Anonymous Art Auction at Heimathafen Theater, Berlin:
9 April 2022

Everyone is welcome to submit, though most of the lots will be selected among works by Berlin-based artists. Keep in mind that YOU are responsible for delivering, or otherwise making sure that your piece arrives safe at the location before the deadline 30 January 2022. More info on this will be included in the email, if your work is selected.

Since time and space are finite, unfortunately there will be a selection process.

Artists will receive 60% of the final selling price of their piece, the rest will go to overhead costs and the production of our awesome catalogue by Friends Make Books in Torino.

Looking forward to receiving your submissions!

Due to the current upsurge of Corona cases, we are constantly adapting our program and the hygiene rules to the current requirements regarding COVID-19. Please inform yourself about the latest protective measures by visiting our digital channels immediately before your visit to the event.