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My story

Mx Watson… Why in Germany?

Hi, I am Mx Watson, some people know me as “Jo”. I come from the greater city of Buenos Aires, Argentina, and I have been living in Germany since March 2020, when after an art tour I could not return to my country because of the Covid-19 pandemy. At that time I found myself in Berlin, what for me was a new continent, without housing, with my savings in Argentine pesos (a currency that is highly devalued compared to the Euro or Dollar) and a new language. At that time I only had the kindnes of some friends who helped me to get to know the place. For the first two months they hosted me in their living room and offered me their sofa to sleep. Since then I have managed to live with enough, without debts and with a clear mind, but finding it very hard to improve my situation for the lack of an economic basic support.

As a non-European freelancer I can not receive any help from the government because that would anulate my residence permit. This happened as well during covid times. As my residency permit is based upon the taxes I must pay upon a certain standarized income I must reach yearly, I must prioritize working above studying. This is why I haven’t had the time to study the German language fully. The lack of an economic foundation does not let me take the time I need to grow. I am in an endless circle that I hope this crowdfunding helps me to solve.

Mx Watson at the opening of their exhibition “Automatic City: Zeitgeist” at the Argentinean embassy in Germany, Berlin year 2022.

An argentinean artist in Germany

In my country, Argentina, I have been recognized for long years for my artwork as a Contemporary artist. My main project was called “Ciudad Automática” (Automatic City) and it consisted of a series of oil paintings on canvas that represented the people, places and customs of the city of Buenos Aires. By the year 2016 I won the sponsorship of the official City’s bank, “Banco Ciudad,” and also the City Council funding program “Mecenazgo”. In the year 2020 I was touring Europe showing this artwork when due to Covid-19 pandemy I could not fly back home and therefore stayed where I was standing: Berlin.

My artwork and name helped me to open big doors in Berlin during Covid times. For instance, in the year 2020 I received a scholarship for a free studio in the Reinickendorf area in Berlin for almost 1.5 years, and in the year 2022 I had a solo exhibition at the Argentine Embassy in Germany where I presented the artwork inspired by my last living experience.

I am glad to say that after this I learned that I can count with the support of my Buenos Aires cultural network everywhere in the world. The time I spent in Germany gave me an enourmous experienice for my personal growth and artistic career.

By the time these scholarship and exhibition were fulfilled I had gained a deep understanding of how I should work for my art career to land correctly in Germany. Sadly I realized how specially disadvantageous it is for a non-european to find their way without a local network, funding or own financial support. My adventure in Germany seemed to have come to its end. By the end of the year 2022 I accepted that I did not have the means (economic and spiritual) to stay in Germany and thought of leaving for good to my next adventure in the world.

After the auction the art buyer brought the painting back to my studio to have a photo of it with me. Year 2012, Mx Watson holding “Rubia Automática”

Tango community in Berlin

Just by chance, a very special one, it was November 2022 when I was asked to cover a nightshift at Tangoloft’s festival in Kuhlhaus. By that time I already had my ticket to Australia with me and was planning to visit my aunt in Sydney. But after that nightshift I found myself changing my ticket’s departure date three times and staying in Berlin to cover the whole Tangoloft’s winter season until April 2023. I had found in “Tangoloft Berlin” the reason to Be in Berlin.

My upbringing in Argentina had taught me to commit myself where I could make a difference. I learned how to use my creativity to create an added value that money could never buy. I believe in the power of culture and art as a healing medium in service for society. I find my latin american values leave an impact in Germany and they reward me gratelly enlarging my family in the world. Tangoloft Berlin, more specifically my dear Mona Isabelle, saw this in me and promissed that if i ever came back to Berlin I would have a home in her heart and team.

Now, after two years I can say that one of the main places that has given me a reason to Be me is “Tangoloft Berlin”. This is not only a venue where I work in service for the people to perform their art while dancing to the rhythm of Argentine Tango music, but a project where we work together as a team to create a safe space in Berlin for people to embrace each other deeply. Working for the tango community in Berlin gives me a meaning and a true sense of belonging which as an argentinean immigrant is particularly significant to hold.

Unfortunately after 2 years of experience at Tangoloft it is certain now, that although my team makes me feel wholesome as a human and knows my situation trusting me with as many projects as we can, the job still does not help me reach the income standard I need to prove to extend my visa. We are all very worried and working actively to help this situation, but it is no marble that the cultural worlds, the places where the magic of humankind is really happening, suffer distinctiely of lack of economic support. This is why I come to you.

One of the traditions at Tangoloft Berlin is to guard the candle lights stay up and high through the night, we are the guardians of the flame.

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