Berlin - Very cool scene. This is the most "Artistic" city that I have seen thus far. The grafiti on the walls is actually beautiful and there are countless galleries and impeccable graphic design spread across the city. I had the chance to meet a couple from Vienna - the husband was the graphic designer for the "art Forum Berlin" which they gave me VIP passes to. It was a collection of fine artists in one building who set up their installations. There must have been at least 300 artists, of which about 100 were extremely inspiring. I have been staying in a lovely hostel next to a forest with a lake, and when I come home from being in the city - it is like medicine to take my bike into the woods and become myself again. There's something about Berlin that weighs to heavy on my head. I can only spend a few hours in the city before I become very tired in my body. I feel so heavy and I just have to be around some nature. -The moment I walk into the forest, I feel like I have breathed my first breath.
A walking tour of Berlin is absolutely a must if you ever visit. This is one of the most historically rich places I have ever seen. I saw Humbolt University where Albert Einstein taught, as well as old Nazi buildings, A Jewish Halocaust memorial and of course - the Berlin Wall. I was surprised when I saw how short the wall was - Its short enough that you believe you can climb it...but just high enough that it would be extremely difficult. There used to be 2 walls succeeding eachother, and the space in between the walls had the alias of "The Death Strip." It was filled with Raked sand so the guards could see if someone crossed, and the watch towers looked right upon the strip, the guards were promoted if they shot anyone crossing the border. I cannot believe such terrible history existed during my lifetime.
Berlin commemorates its victims in a very grand way. There are many memorials placed around the city which evoke thought and curiosity. The Victimizers are left to the dust and barely receives any recognition at all. Hitler's bunker is not labeled, and it is next to a parkinglot of an apartment complex where the apartment tenants take their dogs to relieve themselves in the morning.
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I only noticed today that in your picture of the books, one of them was Imelda Marcos. When I squinted to read all the other names and ran them through the google machine, I confirmed my suspicions. All the names were of women dictators, first ladies, and generally corrupt/corrupting women. Fascinating. So is the theme "History is written by the wives"?
All of the pictures have women in it, so I'll presume that the exhibit referenced the weaker sex (ironically enough). I liked the "i" painting? photo? with the woman pointing to herself.
I wish photographers could do more conceptual stuff like that. I've met a lot of interesting/good looking students of photography, but when I learn their chosen discipline, I steer clear, often. I will inevitably enter an argument and will possibly never speak to them again, so better to limit my exposure, so to speak.
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