What’s the best currency to bribe your way into Berlin’s hardest sex clubs?
Fuck drugs, fuck money, it’s FUCKING ART.
With his leather harness in his left hand and his painting brush in his right hand, Felix Scheinberger sketches himself through Berlin nightlife.
Felix Scheinberger, artist and creator of DRAINTING sat down with BERLINABLE to talk the kinky scene worldwide, sketching while people are fucking and regression towards conservatism.
It seems that the kinky scene is separate from the outside world.
But in reality, the members of this community are the people you meet every day, everywhere.
So why do we have this separation?
Why is there not more communication about this in other parts of our everyday life?
Felix Scheinberger: I suppose the reason is that feelings seem threatening… It’s not for nothing that strong feelings, such as love and sexuality, are taboos in many societies.
But on the other hand, that’s what’s breaking up at the moment…socially as well as privately… While there used to be a game of hide-and-seek, it’s now becoming less and less present – at least here in Berlin.
You, Felix Scheinberger, have experienced similar scenes in a wide variety of cities around the world.
How do the individual cities differ? And what is so special about Berlin? If there is anything special at all.
F: I actually believe that Berlin has evolved into something special in recent years.
It seems to me that there has always been one major city where the culture and the people have given something special to the world…
In the 19th century, it was Paris with Belle Epoque and impressionism…
In the 20th century, it was New York with music and art…
And now, you can almost consider Berlin to be this city with all of its facets of freedom.
“You can have everything of me, but don’t take everything.” – Angra Miao
With your sketchpad, you are always welcome.
Because Felix Scheinberger always seems to find open doors where others have to wait for hours and may not even be let in.
Why are art and kink so closely connected and symbiotic?
F: Drawings prioritize differently and they tell stories in a different way than photos.
For instance, a subject may come across as pornographic and voyeuristic in photos, however, in a drawing, the protagonist retains its dignity.
The medium of drawing generates the right balance between closeness and distance.
“It’s terrifying to fuck the love of your life.” – Angra Miao
It communicates without exposing the protagonists, and that’s certainly an important reason for this closeness.
In addition, I have also made draftsman posters and flyers for the LAB/Berghain and for the Kitti here in Berlin … this also helps facilitate the acceptance.
At the moment, it feels like humanity is not taking steps towards more freedom and further development, but rather towards regression, the past and conservatism.
Is this impression true? If so, what can we do?
F: It’s obvious that the current situation is a disaster for all cultural institutions.
It’s not that the protection of people is not important, but I don’t understand why we need to prioritize saving Tui or Lufthansa with a lot of money while letting the culture die.
Here in Berlin, sadly, this is not on top of the political agenda, and apparently many believe that the city could survive without the clubs (maybe they believe that tourists come because of the Brandenburg Gate?).
Which could result in us losing something that has made the city freer and more open.
What night-time event inspired or impressed you the most?
Did you draw this scene or did it remain in just your head?
F: For me personally, the nights in the clubs meant a great deal of freedom, both artistically and personally.
The parties made it possible to be who you are – or who you want to be.
That’s why I hope that there will continue to be different outlets in the future where this is celebrated – even without finding a concrete example of it.
What awaits the viewer in your books?
How would you describe what one sees there?
F: I hope you can see that I enjoyed it.
The pictures in “Kinder der Nacht“ were not created with the product in mind, but simply because I like to have a sketchbook with me when I go out at night in Berlin.
In fact, most of the sketches pictured were done that way: I go out with friends and if I feel like it, I also make a drawing in between.
You have created your own form of drawing art that you call DRAINTING.
What is this particular art all about? Can anyone learn it?
F: DRAINTING is a made-up word, composed of drawing and painting, and that’s what it’s all about.
I have been teaching students for many years.
I have found that the strict separation between drawing and painting tends to be a hindrance in learning the techniques.
To put it casually, people have no outer lines at all.
But if you combine the linear and the planar perception in a meaningful way, you will get further in learning – and that is what “DRAINTING” is all about.
Your message to the people: your chance to share your message with our community.
F: Everything we experience, we experience only for a single moment.
When it’s gone, it disappears forever.
This is certainly something that drives artists and art as we attempt to hold onto something that always slips between our hands.