Bio
Kristina Kusmina Dreit, born in Kazakhstan and based between Berlin and Vienna, is a multidisciplinary artist and director working across performance, installation, text, and film. Her work explores the intersections of body, class, and materiality, tracing shifting perceptions between the eerie and the familiar. Kristina studied at Academy of fine arts Vienna, Zurich University of Arts and University of Hildesheim.
Together with her sister Karolina Dreit, she published the book "Working Class Daughters. Talking about Class" in 2024 with Mandelbau Verlag. The book consists of Interviews they conducted since 2017 with friends and acquaintance around working conditions and class issues. The book was nominated for the Hotlist Award 2024 for books from independent publishers.
To date, her works (collective and independent) have been showcased, among others, at Berlinische Galerie, Galerie Saalbau Berlin, Kunstverein Harburger Bahnhof Hamburg, District – School without Center Berlin, Sophiensaele Berlin, Schwankhalle Bremen, Performing Arts Festival Berlin, PACT Zollverein Essen, Exhibit Studio Vienna, Het Veem Amsterdam, Batard Festival Brussels, Lehnbauchhaus Munich, and others.
Her independent and collective works received numerous awards and fellowships, e.g. Centrale Fies Live Works Fellowship 2025/26, Fellowship Award for Visual Narration at Nordic Film Days Lübeck 2025, Jury- and Audience Award at Körber Studio for Young Directors 2014, 100° Berlin Award 2014.
Artist Statement
How does labour become inscribed in bodies? In what ways are senses shaped by economical conditions? I often start from a personal memory, sensory irritation or uncanny perception and continue with collecting images, movements, objects, materials and songs, that i find in personal and institutional archives, work places and online search engines. While I work across different disciplines, aspects of the performative run like a red thread through my artistic practice.
Working conditions and the politics of artistic production are part of the work itself. For this reason, collaboration and challenging politics of value production are central to my artistic process.
Currently, I am working on a performance and installation titled "Monochromatic Sisters". The project explores a critical and contemporary engagement with the ambivalent genre of Socialist Realism—its utopian narratives as well as its uncanny aesthetics. My interest began with a visual parallel I noticed between Socialist Realist paintings and own family photographs, particularly in poses and gestures.
Contact
kristina.dreit@posteo.com
Downloads
Portfolio↓
CV↓
Bio
Kristina Kusmina Dreit, born in Kazakhstan and based between Berlin and Vienna, is a multidisciplinary artist and director working across performance, installation, text, and film. Her work explores the intersections of body, class, and materiality, tracing shifting perceptions between the eerie and the familiar. Kristina studied at Academy of fine arts Vienna, Zurich University of Arts and University of Hildesheim.
Together with her sister Karolina Dreit, she published the book "Working Class Daughters. Talking about Class" in 2024 with Mandelbau Verlag. The book consists of Interviews they conducted since 2017 with friends and acquaintance around working conditions and class issues. The book was nominated for the Hotlist Award 2024 for books from independent publishers.
To date, her works (collective and independent) have been showcased, among others, at Berlinische Galerie, Galerie Saalbau Berlin, Kunstverein Harburger Bahnhof Hamburg, District – School without Center Berlin, Sophiensaele Berlin, Schwankhalle Bremen, Performing Arts Festival Berlin, PACT Zollverein Essen, Exhibit Studio Vienna, Het Veem Amsterdam, Batard Festival Brussels, Lehnbauchhaus Munich, and others.
Her independent and collective works received numerous awards and fellowships, e.g. Centrale Fies Live Works Fellowship 2025/26, Fellowship Award for Visual Narration at Nordic Film Days Lübeck 2025, Jury- and Audience Award at Körber Studio for Young Directors 2014, 100° Berlin Award 2014.
Artist Statement
How does labour become inscribed in bodies? In what ways are senses shaped by economical conditions?
I often start from a personal memory, sensory irritation or uncanny perception and continue with collecting images, movements, objects, materials and songs, that i find in personal and institutional archives, work places and online search engines. While I work across different disciplines, aspects of the performative run like a red thread through my artistic practice.
Working conditions and the politics of artistic production are part of the work itself. Collaboration and challenging distinctions between so-called high and low culture are therefore central to my artistic practice.
Currently, I am working on a performance and installation titled "Monochromatic Sisters". The project explores a critical and contemporary engagement with the ambivalent genre of Socialist Realism—its utopian narratives as well as its uncanny aesthetics. My interest began with a visual parallel I noticed between Socialist Realist paintings and own family photographs, particularly in poses and gestures.
Contact
kristina.dreit@posteo.com
Downloads
Portfolio↓
CV↓