ARTS, CULTURE + DESIGN
Wednesday, 27 January 2010 11:33
The new Neues + old Nubian divas

In the 1800s, Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm IV envisioned an “Acropolis” of culture on an island in the heart of Berlin. The collection of five grand museums on Museuminsel (Museum Island) was finished in 1930, but bombed to rubble by the Allies a decade later. Rebuilding began after the fall of the Wall, with completion of all five museums expected by 2015.

In November, the Neues Museum was the latest venue to open after a $255 million rebuild that put all the pieces back together again. The end result is considered one of Europe’s finest new public spaces marrying modernist architecture to a historic shell—bomb scars included. The New York Times calls it “the world’s biggest-ever Humpty Dumpty project,” which now houses Germany’s renowned collection of Egyptian artifacts, headlined by the priceless bust of Queen Nefertiti.

“I think the Egyptians want that back,” says Clemens von Beust, managing director of v. Beust & Partner Incentives & Events. “Museum Island is one of the most popular sites for groups in Berlin. We have organized large congresses, award dinners, lectures and concerts there many times…. There’s a feeling of important history at those events I think is quite impressive.” Von Beust’s favorite museum for events is the Bode Museum at the island’s prow. “Bode is a beautiful building, completely redone, for exclusive dinners of about 150 people,” he says.

Last November also marked the 20-year anniversary of the Berlin Wall’s celebrated demise. Many groups do the guided walking tours but von Beust says it’s much better for groups to rent bicycles for up to 100 people in teams of 20. They can see a lot more, including underground tunnels, Checkpoint Charlie and an array of new exhibits. He works with two local elderly men who meet groups by one of the remaining guard towers. They lost family members trying to flee the East, but they’re eager to share what life was like under Stasi rule.

“It’s obviously very emotional and very interesting, you can’t imagine what it’s like to hear these stories from someone who lived behind the Wall,” says von Beust.

Clemens, what do you come to appreciate most after these experiences?

“You appreciate the wall isn’t there. You appreciate what circumstances some people have to live through, and what it’s like to suffer through something and survive.”
 
Monday, 18 January 2010 11:54
Frida Kahlo Retrospective Opens in Berlin

Frida Kahlo attained cult status through paintings that combined the colourful, cheerful culture of Mexico with the traumatic experiences of her own life. Although this made her the most famous female artist of the first half of the 20th century, in Germany her work has seldom been shown. Until nw. From April 30-August 9, over 120 paintings and drawings will be on display in the Martin-Gropius-Bau Museum in Berlin, which will be the most extensive exhibition of Frida Kahlo’s oeuvre to date.

Frida Kahlo’s artistic development from New Objectivity through Mexican Estridentism to Surrealism and her very own blend of Realism will be comprehensively presented. Plus, the art will be supplemented with a collection of photographs belonging to her family and friends. The loans come from Mexican private collections, North American museums and prominent collections in the US.
 
Friday, 06 November 2009 19:38
Design Hotels + the "Originals"

The Mandala, Berlin

Long before the hotel industry went “designer,” there was the Berlin-based portfolio of style-conscious properties: Design Hotels. Located in 40 countries around the globe, all of them carry the unique stamp of their “Originals”—the owners.

Such as Mark Fuller, former manager for heavy metal band Iron Maiden. His new Sanctum Soho Hotel in West London with rooftop hot tubs, private bar and guitar concierges is designed to be “the ultimate rockstar apartment.” Check out the refurbed historic cinema for 80-person receptions.

But we’re curious. Does a creatively designed hotel inspire creative thinking?

“Our hotels, by the nature of their design and the people behind them are often the meeting point of ideas, creativity and cutting-edge culture,” says Claus Sendlinger, CEO and founder. “Our member hotels are often a gateway to the local culture.”

How does the creative energy at your Berlin hotels Lux 11 and The Mandala align with the city’s cultural zeitgeist?

“Lux 11 is located in Mitte, an area which has attracted artists and creative types from all over the world since the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Mandala is located in Potsdamer Platz, where many major German and international companies have their headquarters. However, its Michelin-starred restaurant Facil, rooftop spa ONO, and Qui cocktail lounge are favorite hangouts of locals.”
 
Wednesday, 02 September 2009 19:56
Connecticut Science Center opens with a big bang

Just 77 days after it opened, the Silver LEED-certified Connecticut Science Center in Hartford welcomed its 100,000th visitor on August 26. From the outside, it's a modernist landmark designed by local New Haven architect Cesar Pelli, considered one of the world's leading draftsmen.

On the inside, the 150,000-sf facility includes 150 interactive exhibits, a 200-seat 3D movie theater, lab classrooms and reception space for up to 2,000. Food and beverage is allowed in the galleries for corporate events.

The three most popular exhibits for groups are the $2 million Energy City, showcasing advances in wind, solar, hydropower and bio-tech energy. The Planet Earth exhibit teaches visitors how to build a sun dial and why hurricanes happen.We like the River of Life water quality exhibit where you learn about the world's most precious resource, and what we need to do to protect it.

"Green is such a popular theme and we wanted to face that head on," says spokesperson Aaron Wartner. "The roof is covered in grass and 90% of the structure was constructed out of steel from recycled automobiles."

Wartner's favorite venues are the 4D Climate Change Theater, where animated sheep explain to visitors why it's getting a little warmer around here. He also gets a kick out of Exploring Space, with live broadcast feeds streaming in from NASA land rovers on Mars.

"It gets people talking to say the least," he says. "That's what happens here. The Connecticut Science Center was made for networking, whether it's a medical group, a scientific association or anyone for that matter who wants to be a better guardian of the planet."