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5 Highlights of the Berlin Art Week 2020 Not To Miss

SUCCESSION, photo: Samuel Smelty.

To be perfectly honest, the fact that Berlin Art Week is even happening this year feels like a highlight in itself. Since Berlin Art Week’s first edition in 2012, we’ve already got used to a few early autumn days packed with unique contemporary art events – and we’re so glad this year is no exception, with the Berlin Art Week taking place between 9th and 13th September. Of course, some elements of the festival are very characteristic of 2020, like the entire digital program along with the hygiene precautions and time-slot tickets. But what remains are the inspiring exhibitions – in this article, you’ll find our 6 recommendations.

How Playgrounds Color Berlin’s Club Culture

by Guest Author | Party, Stories

illustrations: Nicola Napoli

As far as I can tell, there is no greater threat to a child’s physical health than Berlin’s playgrounds. Don’t be fooled by their cute themes, like Underwater World (Kreuzberg), Dragonland (Friedrichshain), and Indiana Jones (Kurfürstendamm). Strewn about these playgrounds are sharp nuts and bolts, rough rope bridges, and slides of heat-inducting aluminum. But do Berliners seem to mind? Not one bit.

I’m convinced that Berlin’s playgrounds teach impressionable young Berliners to associate good times with the rusted nails, exposed wiring, and holes in the dirt. That’s why the most popular nightclubs among adult Berliners resemble decrepit playgrounds. Berliners have become masters of recreating the Lord of the Flies landscapes of their youths.
What’s interesting, however, is that this reenactment of childhood playtime doesn’t stop at shoddy construction. Here are a few other similarities I’ve noticed between playground and club fun.

A Decade of iHeartBerlin & 2 People who could not be more different

by Claudio | Stories

photo: Katja Hentschel

10 Years of iHeartBerlin! How did we make it so far? I wonder sometimes when I think back to all the crazy shit that happened in the last 10 years. And especially when I look at Frank and me who were two very different people back then. Of course, everybody was a bit different 10 years ago… but believe me… we were unrecognizably different.

Not to show you how much we changed, but rather to show how it does not matter how old you are and how cool you look to make amazing projects happen, I will guide you back to the dawns of time and when Frank and I were still two little puppies playing with bits and bites and with no idea whatsoever that we will stick around so long with each other delivering to you the best stories about our beloved city.

What to do on the CSD Weekend 2017

by Andy | City Guide, Events, People

It is that time of the year! Call it Pride, call it Christopher Street day, call it “All the Queers are out on the streets”, all differences, frictions, and issues aside, it’s the week when all queer people are loud, visible and all over Berlin, proud of what they are and fighting for their place in society. For some protest means political actions, demonstrations, and speaches for some it’s dancing protest on Berlin’s streets and clubs. Any way it’s done, we are here, we are queer and there’s a lot for us to do this weekend. And the selection is as diverese as the queer community itself. Whether you’re into CSD or not, there is definitly something to participate for everyone.

Imagine Berlin as a Vivid Holiday Paradise

by Stella | Art, Design

illustrations: Bruno Pinto da Cruz

In our ceaseless hunt for cool Berlin art, we stumbled upon a project we loved and thought we’d share with you: Berlin-based digital illustrator Bruno Pinto da Cruz’s ISOMATIC. ISOMATIC is a sequence of architectural drawings, transformed by Bruno into illustrations, unveiling the scenery in different colors and shapes. Among other projects, our eye was caught by his awesome Kotti illustration, the beginning of a series that is going to focus on Berlin’s iconic neighborhoods. Kotti, through Bruno’s eyes, becomes playful and flooded with color; a little Sailor Moon-y looking, which made me love it extra much. Of course, it’s not the first time Kotti becomes an artist’s muse: In the past, among others, Kotti has served as an inspiration to illustrator Nicola Napoli, in his creation of various illustration series, as well as a toy carpet by Muschi Kreuzberg.

In his latest artwork he totally remodeled the Ku’damm area around Bikini Berlin, the zoo and the Memorial Church including water slides and zeppelin. How fun!

Goodbye to my Favorite Berghain Artwork

by Claudio | Art

Piotr Nathan, The Rituals of Disappearance, Berghain, Berlin (2004), photo: © Christine Frenzl

A visual memory can be triggered over and over again by art and architecture. Therefore it is like saying goodbye to one part of your own history when a building or an artwork has to leave its original place. This morning the news spread out that the artwork by Piotr Nathan which is presented in the entrance hall of Berghain will be sold piece by piece on this website.

First I was kind of sad, about the fact that I will not see the entire artwork in the original form again. I remember seeing it over 10 years ago for the first time and being impressed by the fine lines creating the landscape and storms. The artwork is like a mysterious representation of a natural phenomena. Nature that was regarded as divinity in indigenous times and that loved and feared by the little humans at the same time.

The Rituals of Disappearance (2004) have nowadays such a cult-status that it probably won’t last long until its completely sold out (in fact only an hour after its release only a few blank plates were left to buy). The artist prefers to sell it in fragments to the people who have experienced and loved the club, and wants those who danced near the mural to have a part of it. The lasting impression of the complete work should exist only in the minds of those who experienced it at the club. A memory to keep up in mind and cherish for its beauty and brutality at the same time.

And since life ist fortunately not just about old memories let’s be excited about the new dance floor and what artworks will be presented there…

Playing at Kotti: A Game Carpet of Kottbusser Tor

by Frank | Art

We already enjoyed the illustrated version of infamous Kottbusser Tor by Nicola Napoli a lot. But now there is a new illustration out there by Vidam, created for Muschi Kreuzberg in the style of a game carpet for children. Apparently it is actually going to be available to order soon on their website.

As child-friendly as the carpet might appear at first sight, the devil is in the detail: It’s probably a nightmare come true for every Prenzlauer Berg mom to see their kid play between syringes and dog poop, but hey, that’s just the reality of Kottbusser Tor…

The Ultimate Berghain Satire: A Fan Shop

by Frank | Art

Sven Marquardt on a big bike ride or a Segway tour through Berlin, joining Bachelor nights as a special guest and bouncing tourists at the Checkpoint Charlie? What the hell is going on in these videos and what on Earth does anything Berghain-related have to do with mainstream tourism things you might wonder. All the clues lead to a dubious online shop masked as an official Berghain merchandise store selling souvenirs such as the original Berghain stamp, I heart Berghain T-Shirts and Sven Marquardt rubber masks. Is this a complete nightmare or a dream come true for Berghain fans (and wannabes)? You will be tempted to buy (at least the stamp for practical reasons) but on the check-out you will be informed: “Sorry, we’re sold out!” Huh, how peculiar…

Could this be a comment on the recent news that Berghain was elevated above all other Berlin clubs as a cultural venue bringing it to the same level as concert halls and theaters (and ultimately in the position to enjoy reduced taxation)? It would make sense. Receiving the stamp of approval by the city is in a way the ultimate sell-out for an underground techno and sex club. Or is it not?

Reading the Tarot in the Darkrooms of Berghain

by Claudio | Art

illustration: Nicola Napoli

Tarot cards, zodiac signs or Turkish coffee cups won’t tell me how to find the perfect boyfriend in Berlin or a job or a flat. None of these ancient traditions can be used as a measurement of destiny here in this town. Because when you live in Berlin the normal rules don’t apply. You have to create your own faith no matter what. And sometimes this faith will bring you to strange places like the darkrooms of Berghain.

Some visitors might not see the magic that is spelled all over the former heating station situated in Friedrichshain. Others cannot let go of all the energy of this place and have to go there over and over again, no matter how nerve-wrecking the line and the door situation might be. And last but not least a third group uses this place as a fertile ground for imagination and creative work.

Our friend and comrade in numerous adventures Nicola Napoli was able again to translate his vision of Berghain in a unique art work. For the October 2016 flyer he created a set of incredible Tarot cards that display the classic symbols of the Tarot mysticism as Berghain visitors.

After the jump you find all the cards he created. Also you can buy three of the motives as exclusive art prints in his web shop.

Bergnein ze (Card) Game

by Claudio | Party, Products

The creativity resulting out of the Berghain experience seems to have no limits. Over the last years we nearly saw everything: a bird house in the shape of Berghain, necklaces in the shape of Berghain, all sorts of illustrations and guides, music videos starring a fake Sven Marquardt and last but not least even an animated online game which works like a virtual trainer on how to get in.

And we don’t even feature all the things that happen to be in shape or referencing to Berghain. We could fill a whole blog just about it, but we rather be called iHeartBerlin than iHeartBerghain, right? Jokes aside, the new card game called Bergnein ze Game is actually incredibly hilarious that it’s worth to be the 1001th post about the infamous club.

In this card game you finally get the chance to play the feared door men and select between the guests including Hipsters, Gimps, Bloggers, Fag Hags, College Kids, Narcs, Bears, Cubs, Stoners, Club Kids and lots more.

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