photo: claudioheartsberlin
We do not want to seem all passive aggressive here, but as in 2016, summer 2017 is not really committing. Instead of exclusively staying with us, it feels more like we’re in some kinda on and of relationship. So, eventually we end up wearing the wrong clothes every day because Miss Summer decides to show up when we just got used to these 15 degrees again, running around in a turtle neck. We could moan about our depressing relationship, but, let’s rather cherish the time we already had, these lovely, warm, comforting moments, these days in sandals and shorts, finally wearing this pair of sexy sunglasses. These beautiful, sunny, shimmering, approximately 3 days of summer that we already had. And as we know, you couldn’t capture these moments as you were busy lying in a starfish pose in any Volkspark or jumping into the refreshing water of Schlachtensee. Don’t you worry, that is totally fine. We collected some visuals from our favorite Instagrammers (our own), so we can all remember these beautiful, mesmerizing, 3 days of summer 2017. Enjoy.
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by Andy | Photos
photos: Andrea Padoan
We’re all waiting for summer. We’re waiting for that true Berlin Summer. When there is no cloud at the sky, when the sun beams down mercilessly and the asphalt burns under our feet. Days that never end, days where we’re floating from park, to Späti to Balcony. We’re high on life, Vitamin D, wine and our best friend’s joint. These Berlin summer days create unforgettable memories. Memories that we share with our friends, or with that special someone. Maybe a romance, only for these steaming weeks of August, or maybe we keep that person by our side a little longer to warm us, embrace us for the cold Berlin winter months.
In his photo story photographer Andrea Padoan captures one of these special Berlin days. Two men spending a hot summer day at Tempelhofer Feld together. They have a few beer, Mate, and they have each other. Living in Berlin, it’s easy to relate. A day where time doesn’t matter anymore, nothing’s planned and we just live by the course of the sun. We wear the least amount of fabric, we eat whatever we want, we drink whatever we want, we are covered in sweat but no one cares because everybody is. One of these days where Berlin vibrates and stands still at the same time. We are all waiting for these days. Maybe they’re gonna come…
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by Andy | Photos, Stories
Berlin winter is hard on all of us, grey skies, grey facades, rain and that icy cold. We turn into thousands of grumpy cats grunting at each other in the subway. A deep depression slowly sets in, melancholy, self doubt: Why did we decide to stay in this city in the first place? At some point at the end of February after listening to that gloomy ‘Bon Iver’ record for the two-thousandth time we are actually that close to throwing in the towel. “That’s it! I quit! I am moving to Sevilla!”
But then, it happens: The sun and warm temperatures find their way back to Berlin. And its inhabitants react with some quirky behavior…
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by Andy | Stories
Look up into the sky, draw a circle of trust – the city is coming out of the dust. You can feel the air getting warm around you, building up contentment inside you. Let it culminate, come out of you – burst into laughter, come through.
Berlin is back, was never gone, we know that winter’s beautiful on its own. But no one can deny this side, the city’s warmer, happier smile. With all the gloom and seriousness, how bright can your smile really get? Pretty bright and very wide – just try to laugh about, smile! From ear to ear your teeth should show, how life is getting you to glow!
So laugh away the darker things, smile right into your little wings and fly away into the blue – the city is smiling and so should you.
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by Yasmin | Stories
photos: Steffimarla
Instagram is definitely one of our favorite social media platforms. Behind its simple idea lies a powerful tool to expose much more than cute selfies. Berlin has become a subject for many talented photographers who make us look through their lenses and marvel at the city every day. One of them is Steffimarla, who with over 2 000 posts now, has greatly contributed to the virtual image of our Hauptstadt. She’s been taking pictures all year round – let’s take a look at all the wonderful characteristics that Berlin has been charming us with throughout the seasons.
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by Michalina | Photos
photo: Jacob Schickler
Summer in Berlin is a blessing of another world. Everything seems weightless, effortless and without complications. Pleasure is spelled differently all of a sudden. All the things that are only possible in these few month, few weekends of heat and sun become part of a ritual. A jump into cold water of a green sea means purification. Breathing in the dust of a festival dance floor means contemplation. Looking into the sun until your eyes start to cry means devotion. Kissing a stranger at night, while sitting on a concrete sidewalk still warm from the sun means dissolution.
Time to save some light for the long months of darkness and cold. Every sensation, every taste of watermelon and mango, every lick on salty sweaty skin is experienced and immediately stored into a library of memories. Some of these memories are only meant for yourself. Others are meant to be shared with others to make them turn to life over and over again.
The photographer Jacob Schickler was kind enough to share his private visual memories of this never-ending summer in Berlin. Take a look, but promise me to cherish them without discontent. That summer will end one day is a fact that we can’t ignore. But we don’t have to taint our sunny days in grey even before Autumn will do his job. Enjoy his photos after the jump.
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by Claudio | Photos, Stories
One year in Berlin, an anniversary of sorts. This is my story of this utterly relenting city. A tale comprised of four distinct seasons, three apartments, numerous jobs, countless fleeting friendships and one difficult language. It is about a city of immense density caught between the heavy weight of its past and the inexplicable light and freedom that shines from the darkest of places.
This city that I now call home is something extraordinary, an anomaly. It has progressed into its next chapter, following the contours of history, flourishing into a liberal and cultural hub. It has changed from all recognition and proliferated into a city of tolerance and acceptance, a place where people are free from judgement, and even freer to express themselves. Yet I have felt Berlin’s depth.
This is my time in Berlin.
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by Guest Author | Stories
photos: Anna Agliardi
The summer party of the UdK – University of the Arts is one of the cultural highlights of the summer. Crazy performances, nice jazz music, outlandish musical singers and of course beautiful art works of the graduating students are just a few of the highlights of this spectacular night. Sadly this year was a bit different than the other years. Most of the ateliers and working studios were closed for public. The students are protesting against the new faculty politic which is having less permanent professors and is working with more guest professors instead. These guest professors are often famous artists with a big name bringing a lot of attention to the university. But of course for the students this PR strategy means also less assistance also during the semester holidays and generally speaking famous artists are not automatically good teachers.
Even if I think the protest has its valuable reasons, I was wondering all night if not showing the work of the students is the best strategy to accomplish anything. The Rundgang is always a perfect platform for the upcoming artists to present their work to the public and to the press. Rejecting this opportunity for a bigger cause is a understandable decision. But as a lot of befriended artists of mine also said: It would have been much more effective to show art and cancel the party instead. Or at least don’t serve alcohol. But this would be crazy, right?
Anyway, we had a good night and enjoyed discovering some artworks and listening to the music and dancing in the magical courtyards of the university. You can still go and discover the artworks of the graduating students and the architects during the whole weekend. All the information and addresses are listed here. Enjoy the photographic impressions of last night shot by Anna Agliardi after the jump.
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by Claudio | Art, Party
What could be a better distraction from the cold weather and gloomy light than a multimedia storytelling book about a special summer love. The Berliner by choice Christian Ludwig created a unique book storytelling project with a bunch of friends and artists. His novel Moritz & Ivahn is a love story set on wobbly legs. Two guys and a mysterious girl have an encounter that will have emotional consequences for all of them. We do not want to spoil more of this love triangle story. But you can be assured that its intimacy and strong narration will make you wish this books never ends.
What makes this creative project so special is the attempt to bring many art forms together. Two songs where created by the musician Earthkeptwarm to give the whole story a soundtrack. Photos by Chris Phillips, a music video and illustrations by Jacobo Labella create a visual background for the story. I can identify very strongly with the idea of a project where multiple artists from several disciplines contribute to one amazing result. On November 28 2014 the book was released. Find out how to buy it after the jump.
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by Claudio | Art, Videos
Sometimes when I get asked about what you could do in Berlin in the summer and I have just given every imaginable advice about lakes, outdoor locations and open air parties I simply run out of suggestions. That’s the moment when I have to become creative, or simply a little silly… So instead of giving you sensible advice about summer activities today I give you a list of the most awkward and random things to do on a sunny weekend. Have fun!
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by Frank | Stories
