By teaching Nils how to paint, he eventually became an artist himself until today, where he is a keen collector of contemporary art. Here, the Hamburg-based collector shows his collection of one of the last living DADA artists, PRINZ, in a celebration that marks the movement’s 100th anniversary.

“For me as an artist it seems natural to collect all kinds of stuff, not only artworks, but also music, books or mushroom shaped stones. Art definitely plays a major role in my interaction with the world. For thirty years now I have been exchanging artworks with other artists that I have known for a long time or befriended through artist friends. That is the foundation of my collection. Over the years I have also bought artworks in galleries, at art fairs and auctions. But bartering works of art is the only way to collect without the commercial aspects, the commodification of art. Instead each exchange is solely based on the respect for the artist and the appreciation of his or her work. This gives me a special kind of freedom in collecting and making my own art. It also gives me the closest, deepest, no-bullshit look at the development of the artists I am most interested in.

This is particularly true for my relationship with the work I am presenting here and the artist behind it: PRINZ, a radically original multimedia artist from Berlin with a hilarious sense of humor and a total independent mind. I have known PRINZ for forty years, for me he is the last living Dadaist – a latter-day contemporary of Kurt Schwitters, Raoul Haussmann and Hugo Ball. This online exhibition is drawn from my collection of his works. Since this year marks the 100th anniversary of Dada, it is also a celebration of this radical and highly influential movement. Have a look and see for yourself: DADA LEBT!”

For thirty years now I have been exchanging artworks with other artists that I have known for a long time or befriended through artist friends. That is the foundation of my collection.

NILS GROSSIEN