Gallery Weekend Berlin! Spyros Rennt, To Kiss Against the Fire

Berlin’s cultural scene welcomes an exceptional addition with “To Kiss Against the Fire,” the most ambitious exhibition to date by Berlin-based Greek photographer Spyros Rennt. Spanning an impressive eight years of artistic production and four meticulously crafted photo books, this exhibition is an exploration of intimacy, queerness, and the complexities of human connection.

Presented as part of the Gallery Weekend’s off-programme, the exhibition inaugurates Rosegarden, a fresh space in Berlin envisioned by culture concept Frontrose and designed in collaboration with Danish furniture purveyor Frama. Rosegarden is devoted to intimate exhibitions, music events, readings, and explorative travel experiences, setting a thoughtful backdrop for Rennt’s powerful work.

Opening: May 2, 2025, 6-9 PM
Duration: May 3-30, 2025
Opening days: May 3-4, 11AM – 5PM; May 6-30, Thursdays + Sundays 11AM – 4PM and by appointment
via [email protected]
Location: Rosegarden by Frontrose
Address: Potsdamer Strasse 98A, 10785 Berlin

Occupying a spacious 150m² exhibition area, “To Kiss Against the Fire” offers a comprehensive overview of Rennt’s artistic universe, oscillating between stark realism and enchanting daydreams. This showcase weaves together explorations of nightlife and queerness, alongside documentation of performances and commissioned portraits of notable figures in art and cinema. Through his lens, Rennt delves into the essence of intimacy, revealing profound connections and fleeting moments of vulnerability.

His subjects, portrayed in varying states of undress—metaphorically and literally—face the camera with a raw, childlike honesty that invites viewers to witness their truth. Amidst provocative themes, Rennt’s lens captures moments of tenderness and sincerity, urging audiences to transcend stereotypes and recognise the shared humanity that binds us.

Each photograph crystallises a fragment of life—be it a lingering glance, an intimate touch, or an escapade under the cover of night—while celebrating sensuality and the beauty of closeness. Within these images, moments of joy and collective experience vibrate with life, highlighting the resilience of Berlin’s diverse communities as they navigate spaces of celebration and resistance.

Rennt’s retrospective on Berlin nightlife serves as a poignant visual archive, preserving the memories of storied venues and the vibrant individuals who filled them, navigating the threats posed by gentrification and socio-political exclusion. In a climate where queer identities face increasing marginalization, Rennt turns intimacy into a political act, resonating with a spirit of defiance against cultural erasure.

The exhibition’s title pays homage to the fearless American artist and AIDS activist David Wojnarowicz, whose work fought against the silencing of queer lives amidst tumultuous times. In doing so, Rennt’s photography serves as an unflinching testament to the power and resilience of queer existence.

“To Kiss Against the Fire” is a metaphor for the dual nature of desire and intimacy—warm and nurturing yet capable of consuming fury. In an era where flames of repression threaten to engulf, Rennt invites us to stand strong, resist, and above all, embrace the power of a kiss.

Don’t miss this transformative exhibition; experience “To Kiss Against the Fire” at Rosegarden, where every image tells a story of life, love, and resistance.

Spyros Rennt is a Berlin-based artist working with photography, originally from Athens. His images form a dynamic, ever-evolving dreamscape that captures the allure of freedom and sensuality as observed in queer spaces and club dance floors around the world. Identity, community, and intimacy are recurring themes in his practice, explored through a lens that oscillates between raw documentation and poetic abstraction.

Rennt has self-published four books of photography: Intertwined (2025), Corporeal (2023), Lust Surrender (2020), and Another Excess (2018). In particular, it was the latter that made him internationally known through his unfiltered representation of the Berlin queer community. His work has been exhibited across Europe and the US and featured in international publications. He has collaborated, among others, with brands such as Courrèges, Carne Bollente, Diesel, Ottolinger, and Rimowa. spyressence.com | @spyressence

Frontrose navigates the intersection of travel and art, facilitating experiences that open doors to the cultural undercurrents of cities and other places. Subscribers are invited into a world of rare possibilities: artist-led studio visits, intimate music performances, curated gallery tours — moments of immersion that are often reserved for those embedded within creative networks. Rosegarden is the concept’s first physical manifestation and will feature its programming throughout the year. To participate in future experiences, sign up for Rosetips, the weekly WhatsApp broadcast of Frontrose, here.
www.frontrose.global

Danish brand FRAMA will act as a spatial partner for Rosegarden. Based in Copenhagen, FRAMA is a
multi-disciplinary brand encompassing furniture, lifestyle objects, self-care, and fragrances that encourage
mindful living. With an emphasis on natural materials and uncompromising quality, FRAMA’s work
celebrates craftsmanship, resulting in a timeless and honest aesthetic. www.framacph.com | @framacph