STYX was founded in 2008 as a multi-functional art space within the walls of the former brewery Friedrichshöhe. With its rough exterior, graffiti walls, and squat-like environs, Friedrichshöhe quickly became a refuge for young artists seeking both work and display space, as well as a playground for revelers nostalgic for "old school" Berlin. From the beginning, however, STYX distinguished itself by refusing to focus on a particular "scene" or style of art. The gallery's idiosyncratic exhibition program - which includes not only visual art, but also live music, performances, and readings - reflects both the flexibility of the space and the diverse interests of curator Michael Rade. Refuting both the trend-seeking affirmations of the global art market and the impersonality of the white-walled institution, STYX occupies a unique space in Berlin cultural life.