Bannkörbe (lit. “charm baskets”) were a unique form of beekeeping technology that was popular in northern Germany, especially Lower Saxony, between the seventeenth and early twentieth century. Not only did the Bannkörbe function as nesting baskets but the bizarre masks that typically adorn them served to ward off evil spirits. Their appearance at dusk was also intended to scare away honey thieves and bears. Using text and images, Aladin Borioli has done extensive field research on Bannkörbe that still exist today. With deep roots in magical beliefs, this tradition represents an unusual alternative to the “modern” beehive and the economic optimization of beekeeping and honey harvesting.

The publication, which includes texts by Bas Blaasse, appears in conjunction with the C/O Berlin Talent Award 2023 and accompanies the exhibition Aladin Borioli. Bannkörbe at C/O Berlin. The C/O Berlin Talent Award is made possible by the Alexander Tutsek-Stiftung.

Artist Aladin Borioli, b. 1988 in Switzerland, has been working on the Apian project since 2014, exploring the centuries-old relationship between bees and humans. He lives and works in Frenchspeaking Switzerland.

Sebastiaan (“Bas”) Blaasse, b. 1991 in the Netherlands, lives in Belgium and writes about art and culture, camera-based media, and the performing arts.