Mapping Stories on the Ringbahn
_by Iris Thalhammer (AUT/GER)
#collective #storytelling #writing #mapping #perception #Ringbahn #urban narratives #public/private
26.06.15 / 12:00-15:00 _SOLD OUT
27.06.15 / 16:30-19:30 _SOLD OUT
28.06.15 / 13:00-16:00 _SOLD OUT
DETAILS:
_duration: 3 hours
_language: DE / EN
_number of participants: 8
_each participant is asked to bring along a short story, BVG ticket
Starting point: in front of Le Crobag at S-Bhf Ostkreuz, at the platform of S 41/42
26.06.15 / 12:00-15:00 _SOLD OUT
27.06.15 / 16:30-19:30 _SOLD OUT
28.06.15 / 13:00-16:00 _SOLD OUT
DETAILS:
_duration: 3 hours
_language: DE / EN
_number of participants: 8
_each participant is asked to bring along a short story, BVG ticket
Starting point: in front of Le Crobag at S-Bhf Ostkreuz, at the platform of S 41/42
EN /
This Berlin Ringbahn tour is inspired by Iris Thalhammer’s professional background as an editor. During the tour she experiments with new techniques of collective storytelling. Throughout the 37.5 km ride participants are invited to share their personal memories of, and imagined fantasies about, the stops along the way. These intimate offerings will determine the route of the tour and will be collected and edited into a textual atlas of the city.
DE /
Diese Berliner Ringbahn Tour ist von Iris Thalhammers Tätigkeit als Redakteurin inspiriert. In der Tour experimentiert sie mit Mitteln des kollektiven Geschichtenerzählens: Während der 37,5 Km langen Fahrt ist das Publikum eingeladen, persönliche Erinnerungen und Assoziationen zu den verschiedenen Stationen entlang der Strecke zu teilen. Die persönlichen Äußerungen bestimmen nicht nur die genaue Route und Stops der Tour, sondern werden auch gesammelt und als Textatlas der Stadt zusammengeführt.
_author / guide:
Iris Thalhammer, born 1981 in Vienna, lives and works as an editor in Berlin. She studied German Literature, Linguistics and Art History. Participation in the genre jumping film project »Kartonage« about the frictions between fiction and reality, shown at T.O.C. (Ars Electronica) and Televisions – Kunst sieht fern (Kunsthalle Wien). Currently working on »a map of berlin – urban images based on storytelling«. The photography project was already part of the exhibitions »Ausbelichtet« (imago fotokunst, Berlin) and »Terminal« (Kommunale Galerie Berlin) in 2014.
This Berlin Ringbahn tour is inspired by Iris Thalhammer’s professional background as an editor. During the tour she experiments with new techniques of collective storytelling. Throughout the 37.5 km ride participants are invited to share their personal memories of, and imagined fantasies about, the stops along the way. These intimate offerings will determine the route of the tour and will be collected and edited into a textual atlas of the city.
DE /
Diese Berliner Ringbahn Tour ist von Iris Thalhammers Tätigkeit als Redakteurin inspiriert. In der Tour experimentiert sie mit Mitteln des kollektiven Geschichtenerzählens: Während der 37,5 Km langen Fahrt ist das Publikum eingeladen, persönliche Erinnerungen und Assoziationen zu den verschiedenen Stationen entlang der Strecke zu teilen. Die persönlichen Äußerungen bestimmen nicht nur die genaue Route und Stops der Tour, sondern werden auch gesammelt und als Textatlas der Stadt zusammengeführt.
_author / guide:
Iris Thalhammer, born 1981 in Vienna, lives and works as an editor in Berlin. She studied German Literature, Linguistics and Art History. Participation in the genre jumping film project »Kartonage« about the frictions between fiction and reality, shown at T.O.C. (Ars Electronica) and Televisions – Kunst sieht fern (Kunsthalle Wien). Currently working on »a map of berlin – urban images based on storytelling«. The photography project was already part of the exhibitions »Ausbelichtet« (imago fotokunst, Berlin) and »Terminal« (Kommunale Galerie Berlin) in 2014.
Interview with Iris ThalhammerIris’s tour ‘Mapping Stories on the Ringbahn’ will take place in Berlin on 26th, 27th and 28th June (click dates to book via Eventbrite). Tickets cost 9E (7E for concessions). Images and text: Iris Thalhammer
#collective #storytelling #writing #mapping #perception #Ringbahn #urban narratives #public/private 1. Could you tell us more about the techniques of collective storytelling you’ll be exploring in your tour? Or is it a secret? In a way, yes, it’s a secret. Or at least a journey. Basically, my tour is an invitation to use the Ringbahn as a platform for collective storytelling and to explore various roles as an individual (storyteller, listener, cartographer). The route of the tour is determined by the stories shared. We might layer various narratives within each other or organize multiple stories around one concept. But in the end it’s less about the techniques; it’s about conveying your immediate urban surroundings to others. 2. This tour is part of a wider project, ‘a map of berlin – urban images based on storytelling’. Could you tell us why you embarked this project? Honestly, to trick myself into paying more attention to my own city! I started this project after living in Berlin for over a decade and asked people to tell me stories about any location. Any! Sometimes they would tell me about a spot just a few blocks away. Most times though i traveled far and wide e.g. to Plattenbauten in Lichtenberg, a duck pond in Steglitz, or a random crossing in Hellersdorf which wasn’t even on my city map. When you depart you have a certain idea of a place due to directions or symbols, the sound of your destination’s name – and of course the story. By sharing a story a location attains a certain significance which raises questions like: Who determines what is considered to be on a map? What is included or excluded? 3. Why do you think the map as a format needs to be challenged? Maps are a highly subjective format and we tend to forget that. E.g. to date Google Maps Russia shows Crimea as Russian territory. There are plenty examples like that, even on a smaller scale in Berlin. The Turkish Market at Maybachufer for instance was promoted as a market in Kreuzberg for years. Why? Due to the bad reputation of Neukölln. Reading a map means understanding the city a bit better but it doesn’t provide THE true perception of a space. |
4. Who is the expert when it comes to mapping the city? What changes when perspective is treated as movable rather than fixed?
You are the only one who can provide a precise and accurate map of your surroundings – the way you see it. Generally, we accept maps as objective but as I mentioned before, this is only true to a certain extent. Of course, a map gets you from A to B - but the really interesting side of mapping centres around perspective. As soon as the mapmaker’s perspective changes the map changes as well. The bias of city maps is caused because there is no view from nowhere, just as there is no story without a storyteller. To (re)draw a map it’s very important to look in different directions. So, during the tour we will travel by train along the edge of the so-called inner periphery. In this movement, center and periphery will be nowhere in particular. 5. Could you explain the concept of reading the city textually? What is the difference between a textual reading and a remote or abstracted reading? Berlin is a landscape made up of signs which can be decoded and read. Each one of us might decode them in a different way. Abstraction though reduces the city to a set of essential characteristics which makes it easier to navigate but at the same time less versatile. 6. Maps capture a point in time. How far, in your view, do such abstractions serve as useful depictions of a place? How closely do maps and images connect with or represent the textures and vibrancy of the city? Maps illustrate relationships e.g. distances, topographies at (indeed) a certain point in time. Therefore, maps change from one individual to another as relationships change. There is a tendency in cartography towards constructing a more personal interpretation of the city; I am thinking of all those design maps popping up, which are both accurate and imaginary. They offer the possibility of recognizing where you are and relating yourself to Berlin in different ways. Sights, sounds, and scents can all be part of mapping or interacting with the city. 7. How would you advise that we ‘read’ maps differently? The true beauty about maps is that they may represent any space – real as well as imagined. They may serve as projection screens in the best and worst possible way. Keep that in mind. 8. In what ways can a city dweller take mapping into their own hands? I am quite old-fashioned when it comes to maps. I truly enjoy wandering through Berlin with a paper map in my hands instead of Google Maps on the screen. It appeals to my senses and gives me more options to map out Berlin without loosing my receptiveness. So, my advice would be: Play with common cartographic features like scale, grids, and symbols. Start with an audience of one and add your own route and rhythm to your crumpled city map. 9. Could you tell us something about your personal reading of, or mapping approach to, Berlin? The unfolding narrative of Berlin is quite challenging since it’s difficult to capture it with conceptual terms like center or periphery. It’s very dynamic. Typically, both mapping and storytelling require a point of view. Don’t you think you would tell a story differently if you were someplace else? Or someone else? That makes collective storytelling a worthwhile approach. |