Impressions of the Berlin Workshop
The workshop started with a short opening by Miss Gonczy on the function of the Collegium Hungaricum in Berlin and how it not only provides space for Hungarian culture, but that it specifically aims to be an institute in a broader European perspective.
An explanatory introduction on the Danube Foundation was held by fellow-member Tim Sweys who informed the audience on the ideas that lie behind Danube and gave a short outset on the workshop itself after which Sophie Bloemen started the actual presentation on Utopia and the Utopian City itself using a slideshow.
With the end of the introduction and question-round, the participants were divided into 3 groups so that they could start brainstorming on their Utopian city. Most participants had come either from the Humboldt-University, which had publicized the event in their weekly newsletter or via Danube`s own network in Berlin. Each group created their own concept on the Utopian City, being:
Plutocentria
This concept takes its inspiration from the city of Berlin itself, since Berlin is a city without an actual city-center, but rather, has a multitude of small centers dotted across the city. One of the consequences of such a city, is that there are vast numbers of less densely populated areas within the urban fabric of this city that can be used for various purposes.
Instead of wanting to fill these so called “wastelands” it is important to maintain them as they are, since they function as a means where people can get together and use their creative impulses. The presence of open space gives people a chance for discovery. Not only provides it a space for discovery, it also functions in a dualistic manner, where city and rurality are side by side, and citizens can choose freely to pass time in each area.
Special emphasis is placed upon public transport, since it would be the only way of transport within the city and free of costs.
Every centre would be self-sufficient, yet each with their own emphasis on one particular subject, arts, cinema, sport etc. In this manner, people will have a stimulus to explore other parts of Plutocentria.
Sustzeppelin
In Sustzeppelin, a contraction of sustainability and zeppelin, cities are shaped in zeppelins, which float freely around the world. Just as visions, ideas and people float around the world interacting with one another. It is a sustainable world since all zeppelins absorb energy from the sun. Within the Zeppelin, the upper part consists out of lush gardens and forests, it is a warm and sunny place. Anything can be achieved without effort or trouble. The center has a metaphysical core where new thoughts and visions emerge. From there they dwindle to the lower regions of the zeppelin where they form concrete shapes.
Each zeppelin has autarky and is self-sustainable. Within and outside zeppelins, people can travel from and to via the means of balloons. Not only is each zeppelin multicultural and diverse, people can wander and live from zeppelin to zeppelin, thereby ending nationality.
It represents a new Europe, in which nationality and nationalism have become redundant.
Let`s kick Reality!
Within the concept of “Let`s kick Reality!” it is creativity that kicks reality. The emphasis is placed not so much upon cities, but rather society as a whole. It criticizes existing structures within society. Not to create a state of anarchy, but to constantly question structures in order to have a free state of mind.
It is the people that are the basis of this concept. Structures of power are mistrusted and should be dealt with cautiously. A strong impulse to achieve this Utopian City is creativity. Creativity to change existing formulas and social boundaries. The focus lies upon uniting people, fighting poverty, racism, segregation and class.
Reminiscent of former utopian ideologies, such as communism, it strives for an egalitarian society yet without the pitfalls of previous egalitarian attempts, since it is highly critical on power-structures. “Let`s kick Reality” would be a society in which each person could reach their maximum potential in the field of arts and culture or any other creative field. It believes in the power of imagination and creativity in the human mind. Everything is possible as long as people dare to dream.
Winning concept
After careful deliberation, the jury decided upon “Let`s kick the Reality” as the winning concept and each group-member was awarded with a copy of Thomas Moore`s novel “On Utopia”
All groups were given a questionnaire, in which they commentated upon their concept and gave their contact information. They will be kept up to date on future activities. Several participants have already contacted us with useful information on future workshops in other cities, since participants did not only come from Germany, but from Poland and Russia as well.
Artist Karl Ingar Roys, will make an art-piece reflecting the ideas of the concepts that were presented, with special emphasis on the winning concept “Let`s kick Reality”, which will be send to Amsterdam within weeks.
To conclude the workshop, all participants were invited for drinks at the bar of the Collegium, to share thoughts and views upon the workshop. After which the Danube Foundation offered dinner to our contact person Martin Wilhelm, who works for ‘Europa eine Seele geben” and Karl Ingar Roys, the artist.
Posts
