Art

Stars on Silk: Alexander von Schlieffen’s Astrological Paintings at The Feuerle Collection

Berlin’s Feuerle Collection unveils a four‑part exhibition and lecture cycle where painter‑astrologer Alexander von Schlieffen fuses Renaissance motifs with cosmic cycles.

Por: Angela Leon Cervera May 7, 2025

When Alexander Graf von Schlieffen says he’s mapping the “Earth‑to‑Air epoch shift” onto canvas, he isn’t speaking metaphorically.

The Düsseldorf‑bred artist, who splits his time between studio and horoscope consultancy, claims planetary cycles affect not only our tech habits but the hues we crave, the forms we trust.

Starting March 13, 2025, Berlin’s Feuerle Collection turns that thesis into a four‑chapter experience—equal parts gallery showcase, observatory, and esoteric classroom.

Housed in a Brutalist WWII telecommunication bunker repurposed by collector‑curator Désiré Feuerle, the museum is famed for its moody lighting, 7th‑century Khmer bronzes, and a subterranean “Lake Room.”

For this project, Feuerle activates the Silk Room, normally reserved for Chinese imperial textiles, draping it in soft light that recalls candlelit salons where Renaissance astrologers once cast horoscopes for dukes.

Four Episodes, One Celestial Narrative

Four Episodes, Four Lectures, One Orbital Narrative

Episode I · Mar 14–Apr 27 | Opening + lecture Mar 13
Episode II · May 3–Jun 1 | Opening + lecture May 2
Episode III · Jun 13–Sep 7 | Opening + lecture Jun 12
Episode IV · Sep 12–Nov 9 | Opening + lecture Sep 11

Each opening night features a one‑hour illustrated talk (6–7 pm) where von Schlieffen decodes the astrological logic behind the new body of work visitors are about to encounter.

What Will You See on the Walls?

Renaissance Echoes: Early portraits from the late 1980s reference Raphael and Botticelli but replace halos with orbital diagrams, suggesting faith has migrated from church altars to celestial charts.
Color‑Field Nebulae: Recent large‑scale canvases layer translucent veils of indigo, viridian, and carmine. To the untrained eye they recall Rothko; to von Schlieffen they represent planetary dignities—Mars vibrating crimson, Jupiter exhaling ultramarine wisdom.
Mycelial Mandalas: Episode III introduces circular panels dusted with natural mushroom pigments. The artist likens fungal networks to astrological aspects: unseen, connective, vital.
Graphite Star Maps: Works on paper rendered during lunar transits; fine graphite arcs track the moon’s nightly crawl while powdered pastel flares mimic nebulae glimpsed through Hubble images.

Feuerle’s signature lighting—narrow beams, near‑black peripheries—turns each canvas into a luminous disc floating in void, a staged cosmos where viewers become voyager probes.

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Why Astrology—and Why a WWII Bunker?

Von Schlieffen argues that the bunker’s 2‑metre‑thick concrete walls create a “Faraday cage for the soul,” quieting electromagnetic chatter so visitors can tune into subtler frequencies—color vibration, planetary rhythm, maybe even their own circadian pulse. Feuerle, ever the sensual dramaturg, agrees: “We want you to feel you’ve stepped outside linear time, as if deep space begins behind the exit sign.”

Micro‑Bio: Alexander Graf von Schlieffen

1966: Born in Cologne; first telescope at 10.
1990: Studies painting under Dierk Dierking; graduates with thesis on Goethe’s color theory.
1994–2004: Exhibits across Germany while consulting horoscopes for bankers.
2010: Publishes Astrologie & Farbe, exploring synesthetic links between pigment and zodiac.
2025: Debuts first institutional pairing of his twin practices in Berlin.

What the Lectures Promise (Even for Skeptics)

Data meets divination: Von Schlieffen cross‑references NASA spectral charts with medieval astrolabes.
Interactive birth‑chart station: Visitors can generate personalized color palettes based on natal planets.
Q&A on art‑market cycles: Is Mercury retrograde why bids stall? Expect cheeky correlations.

Alexander von Schlieffen at The Feuerle Collection

Do I need astrology knowledge to enjoy the show? No. The art stands alone as lush abstraction; the lectures are optional enrichment.
Are the episodes ticketed separately? General museum admission covers all; lecture seats require online reservation.
Will works be for sale? Some pieces are on consignment via Galerie Voss; price list available on request.
Is photography allowed? Yes, but no flash—Feuerle’s lighting design is part of the artwork.
Is this part of Berlin Art Week? Episode III overlaps with the September fair circuit, making the bunker a must‑stop pilgrimage.

By entwining chart theory with painterly intuition, “Painting & Astrology” invites viewers to imagine that every brushstroke might echo a distant orbit. Whether you emerge convinced or curious, The Feuerle Collection ensures one truth: in a city of techno‑clubs and neo‑galleries, a WWII bunker now beams with starlight—proof that cosmic thinking has found new, concrete ground.