Batterblasting Across the Galaxy......

I know that this post is way late, but I thought fiends and family would appreciate photos.

Berlin is amazing...and dirty...and careworn, and fresh to possibility in a way that Canadian cities are not. (We have so many rules...rules rules rules regulations, and those rules keep amazing shit from coming into being, (and to keep us from doing stupid things to each other, because we are giant mean children). It seems the more money a culture has, the more confined they are with that wealth. It just seems to stifle the muse at every hoop jumping bureaucratic turn.) Berlin: I love you, you allow magic to happen. Your a lady of the night, with gold teeth.

My awesomest buddy Tor and I went to Berlin together. Tor commissioned me to do a mural in his flat in Oslo Norway, and in return he buys me airline tickets to wherever I would like to visit in Europe.
A great arrangement me thinks! So we went to Berlin. WHAT A VERY GOOD IDEA THAT WAS! The first night there we wandered till 3am taking photos of night things...lights and texture. It was rad.

There are a great many restaurants in Berlin, Tor and I tried a lot of them! I especially liked "Gorki Park" which has the theme of the novel. It's a little split level cafe on Weinbergsweg 25. All done in a very clean soviet styles ...comrade.

We also went to this FABULOUS place called Monsieur Vong. It was very Orange in colour...and sooo delicious. (Alte Schonhauser Strasse 46, 10119 Berlin). There was a line up at the door, which according to Tor is a sure sign of good food.

There was this one restaurant I was dying to try called "Nocti Vagus". You dine in pitch black...no light. Here's the add: http://www.noctivagus.com/home_english.htm

This is the kinda thing I totally dig.

We also went to this one pub that was an old wine cellar I think...rounded brick roof...dirt floors with throw rugs tossed over them, windows wide open to the night air. Red candles dripping everywhere in dappled darkeness. The bar tender/owner...half cut and smoking cigarettes in the corner, while cheezy 80's metal bands blare from some hidden radio made from tin cans maybe. That was somehow perfect.

There was so much to see...so so much. It's a very detailed city. There are little hidden treasures everywhere, and half of it is discovering them for yourself. Wandering is very important...for my soul.
We saw a LOT of art. And made some as well.

Here are some photos from our first night of wandering:

Oldest Ballroom in Berlin

LED armless nurse in CCCP pub

Cobblestones at night

On one of our treks to pubs and small bars in the city, we staggered into one in the Kreuzberg district, which, for anyone who wants to see actual art in the flesh...is "THE" street art zone, (although it is starting to get the "gentrifications"). We sat at this one table where there were two other well dressed gentlemen sitting. I struck up a conversation,(which I am inclined to do with strangers), with them in which they conveyed to me the motto of the city "Poor, but sexy". Now, Tor only wanted to be in Berlin for one week, but I was curious about "Art Forum" the following week, and wanted to investigate further. So One of the kind gents suggested I come and stay in the extra room at his flat as a guest, and accompany him to "Art Forum Preview" which was invite only. Boy am i lucky.

We all went for dinners for schnitzel at a super old restaurant.