Lecken

Lecken

Queer-feminist erogenous rave with a femme-to-the-front attitude returns to OXI with a 20-hour end of summer multi-sensorial program.

“We struggle for safety, liberation and OK Danger; a world where we are supported to take risks and live dangerously. We want a world where we can dance outrageously, hitchhike across the country, confront and challenge authority, do sex work, indulge in the touch of a stranger, make ourselves vulnerable to a lover, swim naked, leave the doors unlocked, trust another to babysit our children, sleep soundly next to whoever we choose, wake up alive. We deserve this all. Our actions are then shaped by dreams for better worlds and for personal and collective liberation. We realise that building for a world without [violence and] sexual assault must be tied to our dreams for social change and libratory practices, or else ‘safety’ became isolation, fear, and withdrawal from society. Locked inside physical or emotional walls, we may never suffer abuse at the hand of another, but neither will we experience the rush of arriving in a new city after hitchhiking alone to see your lover, or dancing shirts off surrounded by fiery friends, or swimming alone under the starlit sky. We want to feel alive. We want to support one another to grow. We want to stay real. We want to relax into the consensual touch of another in reclaimed spaces and whisper ok danger, ok danger, ok danger.”

— from “OK Danger: Community Defence” in A World without Sexual Assault [zine].

Performance: Caner Teker
Installation: Mina Zlatoper
Illustration: FCKBOI / Jessie Omamogho
Design: Fran Marcos

Fantastic Playground Berlin Opening Recap

Fantastic Playground Berlin Opening Recap

As some of you already know we are right in the middle of our new group exhibition Fantastic Playground Berlin that you can still visit until Saturday at the Marcell von Berlin Flagship Store on Friedrichstraße 172. We have been planning this show for a long time now and we still can’t believe that it finally materialized, and it looks so much more amazing than we ever could have wished for.

 

This exhibition is really special to us because for the first time we had a theme that allowed us to create something like a retrospective of our work for iHeartBerlin for the past 15 years. Berlin is a playground of ideas – this has always been an important theme for us as we featured all these wonderful and inspiring projects from different creative scenes that make up Berlin. It’s so diverse and fun and colorful. To us, it’s the essence of Berlin and why this city is so special. It feels like everyone can find their space on this wild playground.

(more…)

Fantastic Playground Berlin – iHeartBerlin’s New Exhibition

Fantastic Playground Berlin – iHeartBerlin’s New Exhibition

illustration: Laura Breiling. 

Today, we are proud to announce our next big group exhibition “Fantastic Playground Berlin” which will celebrate the unique diversity of Berlin’s creative scene. It’s been a couple of years now since our last big exhibition Uncensored Berlin so we thought it was about time to do a new one. The last two years during the pandemic with its various lockdowns and restrictions have not been easy for the art and culture scene – nor have they been easy for us. This new show is our effort to reclaim spaces and draw the attention back to the creative people that we care about so much.

For decades Berlin has been the secret creative hub of Europe. From music to art. From theater to architecture. From techno to science. Berlin became the place where cultures clash – but in a good way. 

(more…)

a sunday thing: A Brand New Sunday Market for Berlin

a sunday thing: A Brand New Sunday Market for Berlin

Launching May 8th a perfect park-side new Sunday market/hang-out for Berliners and visitors alike.

Our market will take place every 2 weeks from 11am-6pm, focusing on local makers/small Berlin brands with over 400m2 of plants, flowers, ceramics, macrame, homeware, jewellery, design, beauty products illustration, accessories, kids clothes, all carefully curated and selected by our team to show the abundance of talent and creativity in our glorious Hauptstadt.

★FREE ENTRANCE ★
Featuring:
Plant Circle with an indoor jungle (exchange/buy/learn about plants)
Local craft/produce/design/art market
Up-And-Coming Market Pick-Up point
Food Trucks and Berlin gastro stars by Bite Club Berlin
Cold Press Juices and amazing cakes ★ Kids sand pit/play area ★ Tacos and woodfired pizza★ Brunch by Jules Café ★ Spectacular Gleisdreieck Sunset ★Good sounds★ Outdoors and Indoors★ Bloody Mary’s & Boozy Nitro Coffee★

Welcome the warmer weather and get the Spirng/Summer vibes pumping we bringing you our finest selection of food, plants, hangover-curing cocktails, crafts, and all things SUNDAY at our stunning sunset location at Jules (B-Part am Gleisdreieck) overlooking Gleisdreieck park

Donations on the door and a part of the profit will go to supporting local Berlin refugee charities helping assist people fleeing global conflicts.

★ Doors open every 2nd Sunday from May 8th 11am running until the evening ★

Mother Monster!

Mother Monster!

She is a force, a diva, an icon, a unique selling proposition. No drawer in this world would be big or worthy enough to house her, because S H E is simply Lady Gaga. As part of our community, she first conquered us with her poker face, told us to just dance, serving us the ubiquitous anthem: Born This Way, and other the Blood Disco pop hits. She taught us that we are unique as a community and that nobody can scare us as we beat everyone with our fabulousness! Be you, be queer, be Mother Monster!

The greatest Little Monsters, Fab Queens or GAGA Grudge Queens get in for free with their costumes!

La Capella Elettrica (MonsterPop):
Gloria Viagra
Viola
Herr Croco
I Bagni di GAGA (2000er/ RnB):
Anna Klatsche
Edith Schröder
Jordan Snapper
Il Grande Spettacolo di GAGA (Show):
Caddy Domplex
Fox Glove
Lana L’Abia
Vivienne Lovecraft

Host:
Matthew Peach

Pictures:
Peter Dobias

Artwork:
Tim Brackmann Illustration

A Guide to German Integration: How to Fully Immerse into Life in Berlin

A Guide to German Integration: How to Fully Immerse into Life in Berlin

illustrations: Berk Karaoglu. 

Berlin is often thought of as a capital of individualists, and its inclusivity is something we’re grateful for every day. But as many of us Ausländers know, the idea of having to integrate into life in Germany is still very much preached by some institutions, and its principles are accordingly taught in special courses. Obviously, the western mindset of molding unique people into perfect(ly boring) citizens is inherently flawed and we can do better. But why not have a little laugh as we’re striving for social change? We’ve put our own spin on the integration process, and present you with our iHeartBerlin Guide to German Integration that will finally let you fully immerse yourself into life in Berlin!

read more…

The Most Bizarre Food You Can Find in German Supermarkets

The Most Bizarre Food You Can Find in German Supermarkets

illustrations: Berk Karaoglu.

We all know Germans have their quirks – previously, we’ve written about their obsession with bureaucracy, their linguistic fondness for the Wurst, and their unique sense of humor, among many other riveting subjects. This time, we’re entering the strange realm of German food inventions: things you can easily find at a German supermarket, but would really rather not. A warning: this article doesn’t really fall into the NSFW category, but you should probably avoid it around lunchtime. 

read more…

5 Things in Berlin The Pandemic Didn’t Affect

5 Things in Berlin The Pandemic Didn’t Affect

illustrations: Berk Karaoglu. 

Over a year into the pandemic, it seems like we can find its traces in almost every single aspect of our lives. Whether it’s work, leisure, or socializing – chances are you’ve had to make multiple adjustments, and wearing a mask was just the beginning. But here in Berlin, there are at least five things that have remained unchanged throughout the raging pandemic. 

read more…

A Farewell for Angie: A Tribute Design to 16 Years of Angela Merkel

A Farewell for Angie: A Tribute Design to 16 Years of Angela Merkel

illustration: Guen Douglas. 

After 16 years in office, our chancellorette Angela Merkle has stepped down just a few days ago. Her departure from her position as head of state of Germany was preceded with several photos of her in very private settings that prompted many memes, such as the iconic one of her with some tropical birds at Vogelpark Marlow, or the recent photo spread in Bunte magazine of her in casual clothing with her husband. In all those photos she looks really happy and relieved, probably looking forward to the time where she doesn’t have to deal with the Trumps, Putins, and Erdogans of the world. For some reason, her release into the private life seems to be the vibe of our time. It doesn’t take a lot to imagine under what pressure this woman must have been.

Despite being part of a very conservative and capitalistic political party that has basically blocked any kind of progressive or social movements in the last decades she was an icon of the liberal world and respected worldwide. It’s a mystery to many, why she was even in this dreadful party and her internal quarrels with her more conservative male colleagues were no secret. But she managed through all of that and because of her more social policies in recent years she even had voters on her side that might have voted green or red this year. In a way, the fact that she didn’t run again this year, was a relief to many that might have been torn between her and more liberal/social/environmentally friendly parties.

read more…

The Beautiful Feminist Puzzles by Wonderpieces from Berlin

The Beautiful Feminist Puzzles by Wonderpieces from Berlin

As the gift-giving season approaches, we’re all on the lookout for fun and sustainably produced presents for friends and family. Wonderpieces, the new collection of feminist and socially conscious puzzles by the publishing house Familiar Faces might be exactly what you’re looking for!

The idea for this innovative puzzle collection came from Marie and Yvonn, the founders of Familiar Faces. These two Berlin moms have been known for creating products that bring the whole family together, starting with customizable childrens’ books. Now, Familiar Faces are addressing a wider audience with puzzle designs that celebrate feminism and inclusivity.

read more…