13.4.1981 by Olaf Metzel

July 26, 2012

Another abstract sculpture can be seen beside the Universal Music Headquarters in Berlin, a chaotic arrangement of crowd control barriers (which were highly charged symbolically in the turbulent inner-political atmosphere of the former West Berlin) with a shopping cart on the top.

The sculpture, named 13.4.1981, was designed by Olaf Metzel in 1987 as part of Berlin’s 750th anniversary celebration called “Sculpture Boulevard” and was first erected at the crossing Kurfürstendamm / Joachimstaler Platz, six years after a violent demonstration took place at precisely the same crossing.

The Christian Democrat mayor at the time, Eberhard Diepgen, declared the work to be “a pile of junk” and called for an immediate removal. Then, after 14 years, the sculpture was erected again, but this time beside the Universal Music Headquarters, with a wonderful look on the Spree.

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Berlin Highland Games 2012

July 16, 2012

To celebrate the Scottish and Celtic culture, Highland Games are being held throughout the year in Scotland and other countries across the globe. Bagpipe music, tartan pattered kilts, and of course, the heavy events, Caber tossing, stone putting, hammer throwing and Weight over the bar.

Because Berlin is a city of many cultures and even St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year, the highland games shouldn’t be missed. The strongest Men (and Women) from all across Germany gathered this weekend (14. and 15. July) in Berlin’s Gardens of the World, to compete in this special event.

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U2’s Achtung Baby Anniversary Trabant

July 11, 2012


On December 31st 2011, the Irish rock band U2 released an anniversary edition of their 1991 released Album, “Achtung Baby”, back then, the cover showed 16 pictures, one of them was a Trabant, a car only used in former East Berlin (GDR), as a symbol of a changing Europe. Also, a Trabant was used during their Zoo TV Tour, which now, stands at the Hard Rock Café in Berlin.

As part of the 20th Anniversary, six of those Trabants were creatively painted and shipped to different cities in Germany. One of those six can be seen in front of the Universal Music Headquarters (near Oberbaum Bridge) in Berlin.

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10th Oberbaum Bridge Open Air Gallery

July 2, 2012


Every year, the Oberbaum Bridge, which connects Berlin’s districts Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg over the Spree, becomes a meeting place for artists and those interested in art. Yesterday, over 100 national and international artists exhibited their works, ranging from established painters, sculptors and photographers to the less well known.

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