Back in Berlin by Rilla Back in Berlin
26 January 2010My sunburn is still peeling under layers and layers of warm clothes.
Back in Berlin by Rilla
Location
Berlin
 
Australia by Rilla I love a sunburnt country
26 January 2010It is purely a co-incidence that I am posting these images from our trip back home on Australia Day.

To be honest, the reason I have to post these now is that I have to put them behind me (lest I start packing and book the next available flight back).
Australia by Rilla Gold Coast, Queensland
Australia by Rilla Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Australia by Rilla Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Australia by Rilla Great Ocean Road, Victoria
Australia by Rilla Aireys Inlet, Victoria
Australia by Rilla Montville, Queensland
Australia by Rilla Townsville, Queensland
Australia by Rilla Brisbane, Queensland
Australia by Rilla Cedar Creek, Queensland
Visiting
Australia
 
Berliner Dom by Rilla Paper Lanterns in Berlin
11 November 2009

There isn't anything I can say about the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the wall, that hasn't been said more eloquently by many others.

But tonight I was walking along Unter den Linden towards the Berliner Dom, amongst a procession of children holding paper lanterns...and the cold air and the warm glow made me fall in love with Berlin all over again.
Paper Lanterns by Rilla
Paper Lanterns by Rilla
Paper Lanterns by Rilla
Seen at
The St. Martin Day
procession and performance
of Martin's Cloak
Location
Berlin
 
The giants arrive in Berlin The Giants Arrive in Berlin
05 October 2009
It's been a rainy few days in Berlin – the skies have been white and my giant hunting was often obscured by umbrellas.

It was lucky then that the Little Giantess was wearing her raincoat.

She greeted the Mayor and journeyed around the Rathaus in her boat, before precariously squatting by the side of the road and peeing.

Another day we watched her Giant Uncle get hoisted out of the water in front of the Hauptbahnhof to a soundtrack of submarines and swishing water. Still in his deep sea diving gear he set off in search of the Little Giantess.

In celebration of 20 years since the fall of the wall, the two were reunited in front of the Brandenburger Tor (but not before she peed in excitement once more).
The giants arrive in Berlin
The giants arrive in Berlin
Seen at
Die Riesen Kommen
Location
Berlin
 
Chalk Berlin

Chalk

23 July 2009

Art on the streets of Berlin.

Chalk Berlin
Chalk Berlin
Visiting
On the way to the park
Location
Berlin
 
Volkspark Friedrichshain

A walk in the park

14 July 2009

Our daily walk to the park revealed pink flowers, a snail for dawn and baby ducklings which made Mr Tom lick his lips.

Volkspark Friedrichshain
Volkspark Friedrichshain
Visiting
Volkspark Friedrichshain
Location
Berlin
 
Alexanderplatz Berlin

Walter Womacka on Alexanderplatz

7 July 2009

One of the things I love about sharing my photographs and pictures here is that it forces me to do a bit of research into things I blindly love.

 

For years I have been admiring these incredible friezes on the buildings surrounded Alexanderplatz but only now have I discovered Walter Womacka.

 

How I did not know the name of the pre-eminent DDR artist is anyone's guess but now that I do you can be sure I will become obsessed.

 

The good news is that Walter Womacka is still very much alive and has a website.

Alexanderplatz Berlin This copper frieze is on the Haus des Reisens and was installed in 1971. It's called "Mensch und Raum" (Man and Space).
Alexanderplatz Berlin
Alexanderplatz Berlin The mosaic "Unser Luben" (Our Life) is 125 metres wide and wraps around the Haus des Lehrers. It was installed in 1964 and renovated in 2003.
090606_alexander05
Alexanderplatz Berlin
Visiting
Alexanderplatz
Location
Berlin
 
Berlin

On the outside

7 June 2009

Going on a ride around Berlin I collected some exteriors.

Berlin
090606_berlinride03
Berlin
Location
Berlin
 
Buchstaben Museum Berlin

Buchstaben Museum

6 June 2009

The thing I love about Berlin is that there is always something waiting for me to find it. Today I took a slightly different route than normal and discovered the Museum of Letters, Characters and Typefaces. It doesn't exist as an actual museum yet - for now it is a room full of type waiting for a second purpose.

Buchstaben Museum Berlin
Buchstaben Museum Berlin
Dimensional Facade Step back from the windows and admire the building's surface. Everytime I see a dimensional facade I think of Sandy Simpson (one of our design lecturers who loved the Grrrrid).

Visiting
Leipzigerstrasse
Location
Berlin
 
09605_corbusier01

Corbusierhaus

5 June 2009

I can't believe that I have lived in Berlin for so long (after many years of visiting) and I have only today visited Corbusierhaus.

09605_corbusier03 Each apartment has two floors. Here you can see that the balcony is on the lower floor - although some apartments have two balconies.
09605_corbusier05
09605_corbusier06
This photo, taken in 1966, is from a display in the foyer (curated by Petra Goldmann). Hans-Joachim Stenzel lived in Corbusierhaus. I couldn't find much information about him but there is a snippet here.
09605_corbusier08

Very very austere and surreal "strasse" within Corbusierhaus. A resident explained to me that they are not allowed to individualise the doors - no doormats, no potplants - which gives the hallway the feeling of a deserted hospital. Apparently these long hallways were designed to increase the likelihood of running into your neighbours, but it's definitey missing any sense of warmth or community.

 

That said, a nice touch are the little doors which are for bread. Warm bread would be delivered there - you simply open the door inside your kitchen and hey presto...

Visiting
Charlottenburg
Location
Berlin
 

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