HUJ:C e.V. is an artist led initiative based in Berlin that operates at the intersection of exhibition-making, residency, and community practice, with a focus on transcultural and exile-related artistic contexts. Its programming combines contemporary art production with collective forms of knowledge-sharing. Formally incorporated as HUJ:C e.V. in 2026, the platform currently operates as a nomadic collective focused on structural foundation and resilient artistic engagement.
Over the past eight years, HIER & JETZT: Connections has grown into a space for art, collaboration, and exchange. The program has taken shape through the contributions of many artists, collaborators, and supporters.
Between 2017 and 2024, the residency program offered workspaces and production resources to 25 artists and artist groups in Berlin, while building a cross-cultural community of 35 artists and collaborators from 20 countries. During this time, the initiative hosted public activities such as open studios, talks, workshops, screenings, and exhibitions.
Updates on upcoming developments will be shared here and through occasional newsletters.
For any further details or inquiries, please feel free to contact us.
HIER & JETZT: Connections, Artistic Direction
From 2017 till 2024 HIER & JETZT: Connections was funded by the Department of Art and Culture Lichtenberg
ORGANISATION AND TEAM
The HUJ:C team includes visual artists with expertise in project development and management, curatorial practice, exhibition-making, and installation. Our work is grounded in a collective and democratic decision-making process, with projects developed through shared discussion and responsibility. HUJ:C is primarily volunteer-led, with team members contributing their time and expertise to sustain the organization and its programs.
We are:
KRISTEN COOPER
Conceptual artist, curator, and cultural organizer. Received a B.F.A. from the Maryland Institute College of Art and an M.F.A. from the Dutch Art Institute in the Netherlands. Artistic Director of MING Studios, Contemporary Art Center & International Residency Program, in Boise, Idaho, USA (2014-present), and Co-Artistic Director of HUJ:C in Berlin since 2019.
CHRISTA FÜLBIER
Visual artist and cultural organizator, Received MA from Staatliche Akademie der Bildenden Künste Karlsruhe in 2003; Co-founder and Co-Artistic Director of HUJ:C since 2017; project coordinator for collaborations with the Martin Roth-Initiative (2021–2025); cultural worker/freelancer for the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations ifa, Department of Art and Touring Exhibitions (since 2017); member of the board of Lockkunst e.V. ,Trägerverein B.L.O. Ateliers, (2021-2026).
ZOLTAN KUNCKEL
Visual Artist and curator. MA Art in Context at the UdK Berlin (2008). Works with HUJ:C since 2017. Co-founder of Trickmisch e.V. Since 2019 works on art education and mediation projects at Hamburger Bahnhof, Berlin. Invited curator of WIP’23 – WORK IN PROGRESS, within the framework of Veszprém-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture, Veszprém, Hungary (2023). Founder and curator of RONDELLprojectspace, Berlin (2026).
IRINA NOVARESE
Visual artist and organizer of artistic projects. Received an MA in Art in Context from the UdK Berlin in 2008. Co-Artistic Director of HUJ:C since 2017. Recent projects include membership in The Watch, a residency program in a former GDR watchtower in Schlesischer Busch, Berlin, since 2021. Since 2020, she has been a member of the Independent Studio Advisory Board of the BBK Berlin e.V. Works as an art educator with various museums and institutions in Berlin.
RAMIN PARVIN
Visual artist and filmmaker. Studied BA (Filmmaking & Directing), Sooreh Art University, Tehran, Iran (2005) before continuing his training in Berlin, including foundationClass, Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin (2018). Since 2018, he has been an Artist in Residency and member of HUJ:C. Co-curator of the Berlin event series “OH! QUEER” (2021) and “QUEER IT“ (2020). In 2024, he received research funding from the Berlin Senate for fine art.
ULI WESTPHAL
Visual artist. Received MA in Art in Context from UdK Berlin in 2008, and a BFA from the Academy for Fine Arts and Design in Enschede in 2004. Work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Victoria & Albert Museum, Museum of the City of New York, and the Stedelijk Museum Bureau Amsterdam. Upcoming residency at Millenium Seed Bank, Wakehurst, UK. Works with HUJ:C since 2017.
