London and London

While I was in Berlin I made it a point to see Tomás Saraceno’s “Cloud Cities” at the Hamburger Bahnhof. 

A difficult aspect of this experience was discussing it with Germans since I never felt comfortable saying Hamburger in the context of a musuem despite this being the correct pronunciation. I would hesitate before the name and then sort of mumble my own “Germanified” version which often just made the H silent.  I realize this is ludicrous but so is a giant Hamburger filled with art, which is the only image in my mind when talking about the museum.

Fortunately the Hamburger Banhoff does not resemble a hamburger at all (although that could be cool in a Claus Oldenburg kind of way).  The physical museum is really sort of incredible, that perfect architectural mix of old European meets re-appropriated Berlin.  The most striking room is the main hall which is the first room you are confronted with upon entering; this is where the “Cloud Cities” were installed.

Entering the cloud cities which by mechanics resemble the bouncy castles that secured legend status to parties from childhood, but by design resemble ethereal, vegetative pods. Rules for entering are a bit stricter than the common Spongebob Bounce Castle though, no shoes, watches, glasses or jewelry allowed. The door system, which required instructional signage for how to close and open, scared me to death since the guard warned me that not following protocol properly could result in deflation.  So this is why astronauts seem so stressed.

Despite the fragility of the pieces and the corresponding rules, there was a palpable sense of play; these pieces were undeniably fun.  It certainly brought up nostalgic comparisons and reflection for myself. 

I don’t think it was Mr. Saraceno’s intention to create an exhibition that elicited comparisons of childhood and caused grown men to giggle as they bounced around like a Teletubby, but I certainly wouldn’t view these as negative things.