Theaters

Yesterday, Jochen Sandig founded Tacheles (check the Tacheles article), the graffiti art house in Oranienburgerstr, today he is one of the founders of Radialsystem.

During a conference on public space held in the Hertie School of Governance in 2008, this location was referred to as a theatre, to which Mr Sandig replied: ‘I’m sorry, I have to contradict you, this space is not a theatre; Radialsystem is … a Radialsystem’. And indeed it is. Meaning a space of its own, constructing its own definition. Hence, self proclaimed a new space for arts for a good reason.

Radialsystem used to be a pumping station for a new system of waste water management for the city until 1999, and it is now one elegant and curious looking space for art. The mixture of red bricks and glass welcomes the viewer with a nice terrace by the river, a bar and a tamed industrial interior hosting many art events.

Radialsystem is an open space for creative ideas and hosts new media exhibitions, dance performances, concerts, theatre plays, conferences, receptions and many more. One exhibition opening I have attended there dazzled us with a cello concert performed in the dark. It started a lot of discussions. It made people think.

In the western part of Berlin, near Bahnhof Zoo, is the famous Kaiser Wihelm Memorial Church, a partially restored bombed out ruin that today stands as a reminder of the horrors of war. In the eastern part of the city lies another ruin of a much older church that today remains largely forgotten. Just across a busy six lane thoroughfare from Alexanderplatz lies a leafy oasis, a quiet spot away from the crush of the city.

Construction on the original Fransican Abbey began in 1250 and it was a fine example of early gothic style until it was destroyed by Allied bombing on 3 April 1945. Today the ruin stands as another reminder of the war that left the city devastated. The space now stands as an open art exhibition space in a garden-like atmosphere. In summer theatre productions are also performed.

Nearby, you can also find two more reminders of Berlin’s history. The first, directly behind the church is the original Berlin Wall, which surrounded the old cities of Berlin and Cölln. Nearby, in a quiet stretch of residential housing, is Berlin’s oldest restaurant Zur Letzten Instanz. The restaurant dates to 1561, though the current building is a post-war reconstruction. The interior is also quaintly period, though I’d stick to the Biergarten outside. I can’t vouch for the menu personally, it tends towards typically Berlin cuisine. You’ll probably find delicacies like Eisbein, often translated as pig knuckle, and once eloquently described to me by a friend as a fatty, pink, meaty marshmallow.

Guten Appetit!