BERLIN CALLING | trip notes

Just got back from Berlin. It was a packed and inspiring three days with the class.

Thursday, November 10th. We left Arnhem early and arrived in Berlin around 15:30. First stop was Hamburger Bahnhof, a contemporary art museum in a former train station. We worked with Art Based Learning there- taking time to slow down, observe, and reflect. A calm start to a busy trip.

Hamburger Bahnhof: https://www.smb.museum/museen-einrichtungen/hamburger-bahnhof/home/

Friday, November 11th. In the morning, we visited the Nordic Embassies. The exhibition focused on the human–nature relationship in Scandinavian art. Strong visual work and thoughtful curation.

Nordic Embassies: https://www.nordischebotschaften.org/ausstellungen/luondu-luonddus-part-nature-we-are-nature

At 15:00 we visited the Feuerle Collection, housed in a WWII bunker. The space was dark and silent, filled with ancient sculptures and contemporary installations. I skipped the Soundroom (claustrophobic) but the rest left a deep impression.

Feuerle Collection: https://www.thefeuerlecollection.org/en/the-collection/

We had dinner at the Berliner Ensemble canteen and stayed for the play Felix Krull. I left early quietly and went to check out Berlin’s nightlife instead!

Felix Krull at Berliner Ensemble: https://www.berlin-buehnen.de/en/schedule/felix-krull/events/270297/

Saturday, November 12th. First stop: Haus am Waldsee. The artist Leila Hekmat had turned the villa into a kind of surreal hospital. Voices echoed through the space. Themes like pain, sexuality, and madness were strongly present. It was uncomfortable but powerful. A lot to process.

Haus am Waldsee: https://hausamwaldsee.de/leila-hekmat

At 13:00, I had some free time and explored RAW-Gelände on my own. Once an industrial DDR complex, it’s now a dynamic cultural site filled with clubs, food stalls, markets, and large-scale graffiti. Located in Friedrichshain near Warschauer Straße, the atmosphere is raw and creative… def worth a visit.

At 15:00, we regrouped at Kindl – Center for Contemporary Art. Housed in a former brewery, the space includes exhibitions, studios, and a beer garden. The focus on contemporary practices made it a fitting final stop.

Raw Gelande: https://raw-gelaende.de/en/about-r-a-w/
Kindl: https://www.kindl-berlin.de

At 18:00, we visited WirWir Art Space. The hosts, who introduced themselves as artists, gave a long talk centered more on community engagement- inviting others to use the space or bake together- than on presenting art. While the intention was clear and well-meant, the concept remained somewhat vague to me and didn’t leave a strong impression.

WirWir: http://wirwir.org

Sunday, November 13. We wrapped up the trip with a traditional German brunch at a café near Mauerpark. Afterward, we made our way to Berlin Hauptbahnhof for the journey back to Arnhem.