Literaturhaus Berlin

Also in one of the more elegant streets of our new area is Berlin's Literaturhaus - where you can hear writers reading their work, attend literary symposiums and exhibitions. The historically listed villa was built in 1889 for Richard Hildebrandt, and saved from demolition by citizens' action. The grounds, which are used for the attached café, are very gracious - there's a majestic tree in the garden which was beautifully lit at night, when we discovered this tranquil retreat. It's next to the Käthe Kollwitz museum, also on Fasanenstraße.

Daruma

Daruma is a cute, very authentic Japanese restaurant and small grocery store, and it's just around the corner from my new home! Here you can eat delicious traditional Japanese food, and stock up on little trinkets, food, and Sake etc. from the "laden". The special feature here is that the rice used in the restaurant is imported from Japan for the most authentic taste, despite our Berlin water.

The kitchen is open until 19.30 in the evenings so make sure you get there for lunch or an early dinner! They also do catering.

Daruma
Uhlandstrasse 61, 10719 Berlin
030 8736 131

Niche Art & Architecture tours Berlin

I stumbled across this very cool site/concept as I was location searching for my husband and my shamanic wedding party venue (of all things!). Niche are a group of 3 lovely German women who lead tours of art or architecture, available in several languages, around this fascinating city of Berlin. What a wonderful idea and I will certainly take one in the autumn when the summer festivities cool down on my agenda.

Dysfashional

On Thursday night I went to the opening of the Dysfashional exhibition, formerly shown in Luxembourg and Paris, at the Haus der Kulturen der Welt in the beautiful Tiergarten of Berlin. It showcases non-clothing and conceptual work from such big names in fashion as Maison Martin Margiela, Bless, Bernard Wilhelm, Hussein Chalayan, amongst several others, and then a special installation Bodies in Motion by students from fashion schools in Paris (Institut Français de la Mode) and Berlin (ESMOD).

I loved the installations by Bernard Willhelm & Christophe Hamaide-Pierson (very cheeky penis pictures as fashion magazine covers) and the artificial hair totems called "Babylone" by Justin Morin & Billie Mertens. I am so excited at the moment by work that makes me laugh out loud and is full of fun and cheek!

Deus Ex Machina

Created in 2006 by a group of motorbike enthusiasts, including Dare Jennings of Mambo fame, the Deus Ex Machina motorcycle company is heaven... for motorcycle enthusiasts, cyclists, foodies and fashionistas... Comprising a showroom for their sexy custom designed motorbikes, a boutique selection of cycles and fashion basics with spot on graphics and textile designs in one half, and a laidback café serving Italian fare in the other, it really satisfies all the senses! The converted Camperdown warehouse also houses the workshop and design studio.

98-104 Parramatta Rd, Camperdown Sydney NSW 2050
phone +61 (2) 8594 2800

Mono Kultur - trust Tilda

Last night, true to Tilda's intention, my partner Thomas and I, along with a bunch of other curious souls, were taken on an adventure! We followed little posters of Tilda Swinton down a long path to a secluded little café Tante Käthe where the intelligent, and fascinating little magazine Mono Kultur was hosting its 4th anniversary and the launch of Issue #21 in collaboration with Tilda Swinton, intelligent and endlessly fascinating woman.

She had selected a film for us to watch, which was set in the town where she was last night holidaying in Scotland, and none of us knew what it would be - she wanted it to be like when you're a child and are taken to the cinema, not knowing anything about what you will see but you go willingly for the adventure. It was I Know Where I'm Going, 1945, directed by Michael Powell, and it was GREAT. Trust Tilda.

To keep the passion alive in generations to come, she and her friend Mark Cousins have set up an organisation called 8½ where kids can choose a film on their 8½th birthday!!

now for the men...

One hero of mine in contemporary documentary photography is Jamel Shabazz. For the past 30 years his focus has been on the African American neighbourhoods he lives in in New York, looking at the fashion and the culture, and now mentoring and exposing young people to the arts and specifically photography. There is such joy, style and pride in the people in his work!

A favourite film of mine, David Lachapelle's Rize, comes to mind also as another example of how the arts, whether it's photography, dance or music (among many), have an important role to play in helping express peacefully the tough issues in life that we find hard to deal with otherwise. These artforms can be a way out of great hardship, and Jamel Shabazz is a case in point.