"yes we do love the great ideas of the 60s 70s & the optimism which is inherent in changing the world at the stroke of a pen to the better. but we strongly believe that complexity is real & good & our society today does need a more substantial approach. therefore our spacial proposals are small scale & deeply rooted in the local condition…. BYE BYE UTOPIA!"

"There was once a society that believed the future would bring better living conditions to everyone. There were people, utopian thinkers, who thought about the big questions of the city. Today only a feeling remains, half desire, half melancholy, reminiscing of those architects who wanted to live in a better society and who had dreamed of better places. Such an era is now over. Here begins my work.

raumlaborberlin is a network, a collective of 8 trained architects who have come together in a collaborative work-structure. We work at the intersection of architecture, city planning, art and urban intervention…"

"Built on the idea that every past is a place, HyperCities is a digital research and educational platform for exploring, learning about, & interacting with the layered histories of city and global spaces. Developed though collaboration between UCLA & USC, the fundamental idea behind HyperCities is that all stories take place somewhere and sometime; they become meaningful when they interact and intersect with other stories. Using Google Maps & Google Earth, HyperCities essentially allows users to go back in time to create and explore the historical layers of city spaces in an interactive, hypermedia environment.

A HyperCity is a real city overlaid with a rich array of geo-temporal information, ranging from urban cartographies and media representations to family genealogies and the stories of the people and diverse communities who live and lived there. We are currently developing content for: Los Angeles, NYC, Chicago, Rome, Lima, Ollantaytambo, Berlin, Tel Aviv, Tehran, Saigon, Toyko…"

"A workshop organised by Howard Slater, Anthony Davies, Nils Norman and the School of Walls and Space

A READER

What follows is a group of texts and excerpts that we are pooling together as a semi-prompter or sub-guideline for what will or will not happen in Basso Berlin. In presenting these texts and themes we are not pre-empting any collective decision as to how the week will progress. I think all of us hope that there could be something unusual, stimulating or forward-leaning that could come from this week; something that comes from a collective pooling of our future-anterior experiences, desires and fragilities. There can be no experts if we are aiming for the urgent creation of co-meaning!"

[See also: http://www.kunstakademiet.dk/images/uploads/GF2_mini-reader.pdf ]

"Museum of the Near Future (MNF) is an apparatus for looking sideways at and intervening in urban situations and institutions. It presents itself as social installations—such as literary circles or other temporary communities—which are set up on museum premises. Producing space for imagination and discourse, these parasitic installations attempt to destabilize perceptions of what is possible, and desirable, between the now and the next in a given area.

The first iteration of Museum of the Near Future took place at the Museum of Finnish Architecture’s dormant villa in Helsinki during autumn 2011 and in collaboration with Berlin-based Motto Distribution. MNF I explored micro-political and experimental modes of participation in Helsinki, a city undergoing grand urban transformations, such as its rapid expansion to centrally located former harbour areas or the recent identity-defining missions. Composed of a thematic book society/shop in an underused institutional facility, & involving…"

"Love Berlin. Human scale of Boston, sophistication of Brooklyn. And way cheaper, even in 2012. Wish I could share it w/ @bjford, @infrathin."

[1] "Johnson suggests even in private, North Koreans cannot tell the truth — that everything in their lives is fictionalized to one degree or another — & Brown says that's part of why his book is so original.

"Their own biographies are captured and rewritten and made to be the thing that you imbibe and live through, and that's why the freedom of the rower becomes such a haunting thing to Jun Do," Brown says."

[2] ""[York] writes about 'dictator chic,' which has now taken over as the fall of all these dictators from the Arab Spring brings all this flight money into Europe, & invades us with their taste," Brown says. According to York, 'despot decor' is increasing in certain spots around the world."

[3] "Murphy suggests that the Inquisition, rather than being a relic of the past, is a harbinger of modern times. Brown says that the sustained ability to create a system of fear, maintain records, & monitor people through communication systems & law reminds her of more modern examples."

"The Institut für Raumexperimente (Institute for Spatial Experiments) is an educational research project by Prof. Olafur Eliasson, affiliated to the College of Fine Arts at the Berlin University of the Arts (UdK) and supported by the Senate for Education, Science and Research in Berlin. The program of the Institut für Raumexperimente including lectures, workshops and experiments is a part of the curriculum of the professor's class."

"The story of young people, full of ambition, energy, skill and talent, moving to enticing cities that call to them like a siren’s song is as old as modern civilization. And in a world where national borders are easier to traverse, where more countries are joining the prosperous global middle class and where the cost of a one-way plane ticket is more affordable, young professionals probably have more cities to choose from than ever before.

This survey is not based solely on quality of life, number of trees or the cost of a month’s rent. Instead, we examine some cities that aim to be both smart and well managed, yet have an undeniably hip vibe. Our pick of cities that are, in a phrase, both great and good:

Aukland, Berlin,Barcelona, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Curitiba, Montreal, Santiago, Shanghai, Vilnus"

"The Colors of Berlin is for tourists and Berliners. The book is a unique tool for urban exploration, serving both as inspiration for a personal vision and documentation of the city. It is a declaration of love to Berlin. It helps the flaneur and the city-lover see and experience the urban landscape in a new way. Stadtblind’s aim is to create a distance from that which is familiar, to re-frame the familiar in such a way that it becomes fresh, worthy of attention and affection. We present the everyday spaces, objects and surfaces of contemporary Berlin ina manner that provides a new means of perceiving cities. It is precisely the everyday aspects of our lives that are most often overlooked; and it is precisely the everyday that most constitutes our lived experience of cities."

[via: http://youarehere2011.wordpress.com/suggested-reading/ ]

"it’s not only a place to host our innovation camps: We think of it as an inspiring space where all sorts of people get together, encourage each other to think different and put ideas into action. The permanent “House of Rethinking” should be established for living and working together, for reflecting and rethinking."

In addition to the hosting of innovation camps the “House of Rethinking” will be open to different uses: from a “living-topics library” to a cultural venue, from an inspiration hostel to a retreat center for management groups much is conceivable and feasible. At the same time a “residency” program for dedicated creative people from all over the world will “fuel” the “House of Rethinking”."

"From Rio to Nairobi, Berlin to Mumbai, and everywhere in between, mobile technology continues to change our world in exciting and unpredictable ways. People all over are embracing the possibilities that are emerging from this ongoing revolution, shaping -- and being shaped -- by it in the process. At Nokia, this is what gets us out of bed in the morning."

"As far as the similarities from one urban circumstance to another, there is a case to be made for the emergence of a global typology and the slow transformation of American cities toward a global model. White flight, the demographic phenomenon that defined American cities in the 2nd half of the twentieth century, is finally unwinding itself. Witness the rise of the "hipster," which is really just a polite and racially sublimated way of talking about white culture as urban culture. Alongside this, we are witnessing the rise of the black and immigrant suburbs. American cities are moving in the direction of operating more like European and South American cities. The latter part of the twentieth century in this country was an anomaly compared to global urban and suburban development, and that historical moment is over."

"Berlin, known for its creative vibe & underground music & art scenes, has been an ideal backdrop for a venture looking to make sound a shared experience.<br />
<br />
Ljung describes the city itself as startup: ever-changing & innovative, creative with a bit of an anti-establishment attitude.<br />
<br />
"It has a tradition of the counterculture & wanting to do things a different way," he says. "You go back to why people start startups — they want to do things differently."<br />
<br />
Berlin's current air of artistic & entrepreneurial freedom is linked to its tumultuous history. Walk though the city & you'll pass structures and monuments that have been destroyed & rebuilt, only to be destroyed & rebuilt again during World War II. Buildings punctured with bullet holes are a constant reminder of Nazi Germany & the city's post-war struggle.<br />
<br />
But since the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, the city has let its hair down — pivoting yet again to become a center for all things creative: technology, design, fashion, music."

"There are 32 places in America named Berlin. We are collecting true stories about these Berlins in the form of video, text and images. The idea is to create a space for collaborative storytelling, in which participants can share their stories as well as contribute perspective to the stories of others. Our plan is to pick your 12 most interesting stories and make an episodic feature film!In the mean time, we hope this website becomes an inspiring and fascinating territory for personal narrative. Along the way we’ll be announcing new ways to get involved, as well as sharing stories from our friends and project partners in Berlin, Germany. It’s a chance for Americans and Germans to learn about one another in a new way."

"I’m in East Berlin till the 26th and have lots to update. Having tons of fun here. An amazing culture has arisen after the infamous fall of the Berlin wall. After its fall the city was abandoned, anarchy ensued and a new culture blossomed. Lots of creatives here doing their own thing. Yes, I’ve met my fair share of “entrepre-tenders”(another term I’ve heard is ego-preneur) but still- it’s bubbling with creativity. After shooting 3 months at the democratic school “Brooklyn Free School” (some would call it edu-punk), Berlin is sorta perfect."

"Robot Flâneur is an explorer for Google Street View. Select a city to start exploring.<br />
<br />
Follow the instructions or just go full screen for an urban screensaver of your choice."

"What do to with Tempelhof Airport? After the airfield has been closed last October the city of Berlin has asked the ‘Berliners’ just that. One of the ideas that were sent to the municipality (and directly put aside) is the idea by architect Jakob Tigges. He proposes to construct a 1,000 meter tall mountain on the former airfield."

"HORT began its inhabitance back in 1994, under the previous stage name of EIKES GRAFISCHER HORT. Who the hell is Eike? Eike is the creator of HORT. HORT - a direct translation of the studio's mission. A creative playground. A place where 'work and play' can be said in the same sentence. An unconventional working environment. Once a household name in the music industry. Now, a multi-disciplinary creative hub. Not just a studio space, but an institution devoted to making ideas come to life. A place to learn, a place to grow, and a place that is still growing. Not a client execution tool. HORT has been known to draw inspiration from things other than design.

It is encouraged that you don't see the work displayed on this website as a library of ideas and visual styles to pick and choose from, but a showcase of our capabilities and achievements. HORT are willing to give most things a go. I mean how are you supposed to learn if you don't try. Right?"

"yesterday we started sticking this MISSING posters all over Berlin Mitte. after seeing your great appreciation we decided to make the PDF available for everyone who wants to get active and do the same. <br />
<br />
you can download it HERE... however, if you are in the area just come to pick them up at our berlin headquarter and SPREAD THEM EVERYWHERE!!!<br />
<br />
arresting people wont silence them, it will make their voices even louder!"<br />
<br />
[Flickr set here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/platoon/sets/72157626324210795/ ]

"The Evangelical School Berlin Center was founded with the goal of a reform school with a radical change in the culture of learning. As an evangelical school is the Christian faith standard for learning and action . As a private school, we wish to be crucial in view of sustainable development. We hope you find our site, what do you want our school know about and look forward to your comments."<br />
<br />
[Basti knows head of school Margret Rasfeld:  http://www.ev-schule-zentrum.de/683.0.html]

""New York in the '80s." "London at the height of Britpop." "Paris in the '30s."<br />
<br />
Berlin now.<br />
<br />
If you believe the hype, and you really should, Berlin is the coolest city on the planet."

"Berlin’s slow-burn emergence as Europe’s cultural capital has resulted in a deep rooted creative scene, but that is being threatened. Berlin’s artists are now rebelling against a Yuppy invasion.<br />
<br />
One of the problems with gentrification is that the people that originally make an area more desirable (artists) don’t gain and the people that gain (yuppies), often make it less desirable. The reason for this is that creatives rent and can’t buy, and yuppies buy but don’t create.<br />
<br />
But imagine a property fund that was based on a simple rule - follow the artists, it would make a fortune. It should be possible then to fund the arts through some mechanism that capitalizes on this.<br />
<br />
An arts fund that created artists mortgages with the expectation that they increase the value of properties without normally benefiting (as happened in Shoreditch) could really help mitigate this kind of change, without any external subsidy…"

"When thinking about moving I asked myself: Which is the city that inspires me most? Where are the people who dare to live their life in their very own personal way? The people who don’t care about what “the matrix says”. The people for whom money-making is a consequence of following their heart & way of living…<br />
<br />
Frankfurt in my opinion is more about maximizing everything. It’s more about moving things forward w/in structures, along the lines. It’s not about questioning structures or creating something new.<br />
<br />
But choosing Berlin in the end wasn’t only a decision between Frankfurt & Berlin. I’ve also lived in Hamburg & Munich. I chose Berlin because it is so different to any other city. Elsewhere life is much more structured: You have to adapt to lots of rules & live up to somebody else’s expectations. In Berlin, you just do it, whatever that may be. & you do it the way you want to do it."

"It is impossible to really capture what happened in the roundabout 65.000 minutes during the Palomar5 camp in 2009 in something like a movie. Nevertheless, we want everyone to experience at least a glimpse of it - within 60 minutes.

"Palomar5 is a network-organisation experimenting with new environments for creating positive innovations, and empowering individuals to create and realize new ideas. The topics and projects encompass the imaginations and talents of our community – and beyond -, ranging from global free internet, to giant artistic displays, from deep philosophical exploration, to hands on play and experimentation. Trust, love and respect, built upon common experience is the glue that bonds our community. Palomar 5 is looking for collaborators that can benefit from our collective output and participate in the creation of new experiences, exploring the space between living rooms and corporations, professional and amateur, reality and utopia."

"

"Celebrated Danish artist Olafur Eliasson talks about his love-hate relationship with his adopted home city, Berlin, his gigantic waterfall spectacle on the East River in New York, which is expected to attract millions of viewers, and the pitfalls of succ

"Generator.x in collaboration with Club Transmediale and [DAM] presents Generator.x 2.0: Beyond the screen, a workshop and exhibition about digital fabrication and generative systems."

"BERLIN.placeinplaceof.net is a web-based project which uses the weblog format to present concurrent and collaborative investigations and interpretations of Berlin, from Then and Now."

Leonard Cohen famously sang "First we'll take Manhattan, then we'll take Berlin." Now many New York artists are doing just that, turning their backs on excessive rents and the stifling conservativism of the post-9/11 city to carve out a niche for themselv

"The do-anything spirit that burst forth in post-Communist Berlin is being overwhelmed by market-mindedness."

"Steak Zombies' field of work embraces formats such as graphic characters, plush-dolls and accessories, stage-outfits and theatre costumes as well as character- based real-life-costumes. In a series of Live-Sewing and Clothes Customizing Performances in c

"I would like to describe a culture of sustainable urban development being explored in Berlin through the initiative experimentcity, which I coordinate with a wide range of partners."