ZK/U, based in Berlin, is a hub for artistic production and urban research, offering residencies and fostering interdisciplinary projects that engage with urban issues and promote international exchange.
The ZK/U, or Center for Art and Urbanistics, is a Berlin-based organization that serves as a hub for artistic production and urban research. Founded in 2012 by the artists' collective KUNSTrePUBLIK, it is located in a former railway depot in the Moabit district, near Berlin's largest inland port, Westhafen. ZK/U offers residencies ranging from 2 to 12 months for artists, researchers, and practitioners to work on individual or collaborative projects. The program is designed to foster international exchange and critical thinking on global issues, with a focus on the urban context. Residents have access to living and working spaces, communal facilities, and opportunities to share their work with a broader public through events like the bi-monthly Openhaus. The organization's approach is interdisciplinary, combining artistic practices with theoretical and practical critiques from fields such as geography, anthropology, urban planning, and architecture. ZK/U's projects often explore themes such as urban infrastructure, public space, and local belonging in post-migration societies. With a mix of local and international partners, ZK/U aims to create a dynamic environment for artistic and intellectual exchange. The organization's activities include conferences, publications, and exhibitions, making it a significant platform for contemporary artistic and urban discourse in Berlin and beyond. Through its diverse projects and residency program, ZK/U contributes to the ongoing conversation about the city and its complexities.