I spent lots of time today out enjoying the beautiful Autumn weather here in Germany, and my travels around the city brought me to Hannover Linden to visit a few creative locals with shops that I really enjoyed visiting. I'll introduce you to two that I found quite inspiring. First up is Gross Stadt Rekorder, a store and gallery that I liked very much.

The fashion designers sharing the space invite artists in for mini exhibitions, something I'm a huge fan of - the promotion of artists that I may not have heard of otherwise. Gross Stadt Rekorder current features the work of 25-year-old Hannover-based artist Evelyn Hahn, the exhibit is called "Dream A Little Dream" and I liked it so much that I asked if I could take photos to share with you.

I really enjoyed Evelyn's work and especially how it was installed, so creative! And all of the various surfaces she works on from wood to paper, canvas, even small stones, I liked the variety very much. Her edgy illustrative work is so interesting, so urban, her distorted characters and heavy lines in mostly black and white held my interest for quite some time, some pieces I couldn't take my eyes off of. I hope an American gallery will pick her up because I think her work needs to be seen in the states because I think people would respond to it -- and I like art that creates a reaction and makes one step back and think. I just loved how her art was displayed on this wall below in all the mini antique frames, from ovals to squares. Great idea for art arrangement in the home I think. The center piece was a small wooden chalkboard with Liebe Dich written on it and a small piece of chalk suspended from a string. It was really sweet. Some of her work was altered images, for instance a vintage portrait of a lady with a new head - a head created by Evelyn, popped onto the body. Or an illustration on a lace doily on a painted board. You can click on the images to see larger views to check out some of the details. Perhaps it will get your creative wheels turning for your very own art project.

Interesting mobile in the corner.

One thing that I love about northern Germany, from Hannover to Hamburg and especially Berlin, is all the raw indie talent that exists over here, it's all very inspired by life in Germany, the history of this country, their culture, and the future that these talents young people hope to build here. It's edgy, there are messages woven into their work, and it's unique and very authentic, something I appreciate so much.

Pictures climbing the walls onto the ceiling, I loved this network of images. Amazing!

Gross Stadt Rekorder is located in Hannover Linden at Deisterstr. 77. Evelyn's exhibit will be on display until October 31, 2007. And pay special attention to their fashion, the clothes are amazing. I think 'Little Red Riding Hood makes a life for herself in Berlin' sums up the style to me. :)

(images by holly becker for decor8)