Copywriter, content creator, illustrator, writer, artist, designer, matcha lover, dancer, occasional hiker, avid reader, terrible singer, pilates enthusiast and maker of mouth-watering lasagne.
Sustainability from the Bottom-Up
Published November 14 2014, The Copenhagen Post
For a country that puts so much emphasis on recycling and sustainability, we still apply the concept of disposability an awful lot. Disposable razors, barbecues, tableware, nappies, shopping bags, even disposable cameras for those special ones amongst us. We like throwing things away.
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But not everything we discard is disposable. Denmark’s capital may be the winner of the European Green Capital Award 2014, but it still has a long way to come in terms of sustainability.
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A fountain of knowledge
HELP IS at hand this week at Copenhagen’s second Sustainable Citizen Festival (November 12-18), which offers a platform for collecting ideas and discussing all matters sustainable, mostly through events and workshops.
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While most sustainability enterprises tend to be driven by businesses, the festival is an event where the public can learn how they can contribute to sustainability in their community.
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Starts at the supermarkets
THE FESTIVAL kicked off on Wednesday with an event concerning the issue of food waste. ‘Disco Soup’, in which 300 kilos of fresh discarded vegetables were used to make soup, drew attention to the problem that one third of all the food produced worldwide never reaches the supermarkets because it fails to meet criteria regarding the right size or colour.
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Meanwhile, large quantities of food are being thrown out that are still edible. Supermarkets and grocers dump approximately 173,000 tonnes every year out of a national figure of 549,000 tonnes.
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Waste affects price
ACCORDING to Jan Martin, a Horsens resident originally from Hamburg who is the co-founder of Det Visionære Køkken (the visionary kitchen), the wastage leads to other problems.
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“As food is wasted continuously during production, prices rise,” he explained. “This in turn is a cause of starvation and malnutrition in parts of the world.”
Det Visionære Køkken receives discarded food that has exceeded its best before date, which is then used to cook for the homeless. It has two main aims: to reduce waste and cost.
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A new hope on Papirøen
ANOTHER company making inroads in sustainability is Copenhagen Street Food, a market that supports biodynamic farming in Denmark, which is open to the public most days. As well as dealing in food from sustainable sources, it offers a platform for biodynamic food entrepreneurs.
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Located on Papirøen (paper island) in the south of the city, its architecture and design are built on the foundations of sustainability. Almost all the used materials are recycled and used with the intention of remaining recyclable for the future. Many of the food stands are built into old, reused shipping containers.
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“Romantics like me appreciate the use of something that has traveled the world,” explained Dan Husted, who co-founded Copenhagen Street Food.
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Less developed in Denmark
RAISED in the US, where the biodynamic and organic food backlash has been incredibly intense in certain pocket areas – normally in response to the dramatic failings of large scale co-operate farming – Dan's wife Natasha Husted was surprised that biodynamic notions were less developed in Denmark when she arrived.
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“I realised this has to do with the food industry in Denmark not having caused the scale of damage present in the States,” she said. “European countries are smaller, and I feel there is a much greater possibility to effect positive change here as an individual. Although the developments are gradual, they have more potential to spread. This gives me a lot of hope for the future of the food industry.”
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Supporting biodynamic farming
Copenhagen Street Food uses some of its proceeds to support Thorshøjgaard, a biodynamic farm in Ishøj in the western suburbs of the capital region. And Natasha is optimistic about the future.
“We really wanted to have a positive impact on the food industry, and we have already been successful,” she enthused. “We have raised awareness, and food trucks with an ethical philosophy are popping up more and more. We have given birth to a project, and are now content and excited to see how others will take it further.”
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Individuals must act
JAN MARTIN is also hopeful, but contends that Denmark still has a long way to go before it can regard itself as a first-rate recycling country. “I’m used to having four different rubbish bins at home. I only have one in Denmark,” he said.
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And at the root of the problem, he contends, is the difficulty for the individual to make a difference. “In general, it seems to be easier to start a business, rather than try to do good,” he said.
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This year’s Sustainable Citizen Festival addresses this issue in it’s overall theme.
“While last year’s festival featured many companies as partners, this year the focus is on the average person and bridging the gap between professional areas and the individual,” revealed the festival’s communications manager, Adriana Pereira.
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“Lots of small-scale projects can achieve big-scale impacts. We’re not looking for radical but rather moderate solutions, which is the Danish way after all.”
There’s a new boy in town and he’s planning on making it rain!
Published March 25 2015, The Copenhagen Post
As Scandinavia’s biggest IT startup co-working space ‚The Rainmaking Loft’ that launched in Copenhagen this month is really taking things to the next level.
It was a beautifully fresh and sunny morning as I rode my bike to Holmen in order to meet with the team of Copenhagen's most exciting newcomer this month.
I arrived in front of the Rainmaking Loft’s handsome brick building from the late 1800s, which was originally used by the Danish Royal Navy back in the day.
My good mood remained unbroken as I stepped into the Rainmaking Loft’s entrance hall: High ceilings, bright sun-drenched spaces, original steel pillars, and dynamic interior design that allows 19th and 21st century architecture to mingle effortlessly with each other not only proves that Danes really know what they’re doing when it comes to all things design, but also when it comes to creating rejuvenating working environments.
„We want to create a working and sustainable ecosystem here“
Collaboration and community, not profit
„This co-working space is about integrating the already existing community“ head of communications Johan Vardrup explains, as we start the tour and pass by a space under construction where a coffee shop is due to take up activity soon.
The Rainmaking Loft also puts a strong emphasis on sharing ideas and helping each other out.
„What we want to achieve here is a sense of collaboration, not competition. People may need some ideas on how to break into the Chinese market or some help with app-developement, and people across the room might know how to do so.“
„Rather than focusing on profit, first and foremost we want to focus on organic co-existing around a centre of creativity with a strong community base where everyone can benefit“ managing director Kristian Justesen adds.
With Copenhagen Street Food situated on paper island only a few minutes away and the School of Architecture as their neighbor next door, this community certainly is destined to be one of the most creative neighborhoods around.
I could live here
The co-working space on the bottom floor immediately makes me want to set up camp. Lined with ample desk space and some computers, I am particularly impressed with the separate sound proof glass cubicles in the middle of the room.
„These can be used for group meetings and making private calls, while not breaking up the communal vibe of the room,“ Vardrup points out.
The concept of having privacy without being shut off is continued on two further floors of office space with smaller and larger 6-12 person group rooms on either side, separated by soundproof glass walls and doors, with communal lounge areas in the middle.
Play hard work hard
As most startup team members tend to work hours not even students can relate to, one of the Rainmaking Loft’s priority is to make it a fun place to be.
The ’fun room’ on the top floor is already equipped with a ping pong table and will soon be joined by flipper machines, cosy lounge opportunities and even a drone to have some fun with.
The canteens furniture is custom built to allow maximum community spirit amongst fellow peers, and is also where the loft hosts weekly events.
Pitching workshops, startup bootcamps, group discussions and presentations on topics such as how to develop business strategy, offer everyone the opportunity to constructively critique and challenge each other.
Furthermore the top floor is equipped with shower facilities and also so far offers one (with the possibility of adding another) hotel room for overnight stays for a minimal service charge.
The young and the experienced
Until now Stockholm is the dominating scene in Scandinavia when it comes to startups.
As the largest co-working space in Scandinavia however, Rainmaking Loft are hoping to make Copenhagen a further centre point for the Scandinavian startup industry and make way for more collaboration.
What really sets the Rainmaking Loft apart from other co-working spaces is that it doesn’t only house people just starting out.
Until now co-working spaces in Scandinavia have usually been entrepreneur based. The Rainmaking Loft however is also investor based, who are continuously scouting the potential around them, as well as providing the young startups with valuable advice, for example during the weekly event presentations.
Kim Tosti, an investor and director who rents out a fixed office room together with 7 other investors recounts why he prefers the ‚ecosystem‘ here to a normal or a home office.
Having been in the corporate business for many years and in the startup scene for two, Tosti, who values the principle of fairness, knows that young people starting out often get cheated, sadly.
„I want to help try and avoid the young being exploited and what better place to do so than here where the young and energetic can meet the experienced.“
Help with building ladders
„It’s a highly dynamic atmosphere that is being created here, and I am happy to offer free and independent advice to anyone here who needs it.“
„I like to see the transition from someone with nothing more than a crazy idea coming into the lobby downstairs asking for a chair and some wifi, to moving into one of the larger team spaces as their visions grow and come to life.“
Nowadays more than ever it is important to make opportunities accessible for younger generations who are full of potential and appreciate support and guidance instead of exploitation. „That is what this space and I myself would like to provide,“ Tosti says.
Financial matchmakers
Mikkel Rosener, Johans Kr(o)is, and Anders Lindgan are the founders of one of the startups the Rainmaking Loft team are currently most excited about.
With their business ‚Godbank’ their aim is to make the banking industry more transparent.
„Whether on the topic of housing loans, mortgages, or investments, trusting banking advisors who in reality are nothing more than sales persons, is something many people struggle with“, Rosener points out.
„We’ve decided to infiltrate one of the most conservative industries in order to bring some fresh air to it.“
The three young men act as a consultancy who offer clients free advice on how to find the best bank and deal suited to their individual needs. „We work as independent matchmakers with our focus being on creating the best possible experience for the customers.“
Godbank is already collaborating with 14 different banks, who pay commission for every successful match.
The Godbank team are also working together with the CPH Kommune to help create solutions for people with low income, as well as provide free debt-management to help individuals get a more structured economy.
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„The next Silicone Valley just with nice people“
The future of the Ecosystem
“Startups, venture capital, business angels, and corporate mentors are spread out all over Copenhagen. Gathering the volume in one place is new – we call that our ecosystem,” Justesen says.
“It is very important to us to be part of the local dynamic. The next Silicon Valley just with nice people,” he smiles sincerely.
„Righ now its about making this a working organism, but after we will aim to reach out even more. Two Rainmaking Lofts already exist in Berlin and London which are the main startup cities in Europe, so many guys here will be collaborating with people there.
„We can also take the experiences and lessons from London and Berlin and really take it to the next level here. We want to do things giving 110%. We’re full in or nothing.“
Fact Box:
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The Rainmaking Loft has a 320 people capacity, and was 80% full within the first month before launching.
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Rainmaking Loft, Danneskiold-Sams(o)es Alle 41, 1434 K(o)benhavn K
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For bookings and enquires: kj@rainmaking.dk
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Pricing: Fixed Seat 1,950 DKK, Flex Desk 1,450 for full access and 950 DKK for off peak access (9-5 pm Monday-Friday)
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Venue space and group rooms can be booked for free
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Published February 04 201, The Copenhagen Post
Enter Richard Mosse’s sea of images in The Enclave, his frightening and often uncomfortable video work about the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
As our society has become almost immune to the images of war, conflict and attacks on civilians as we are vaccinated with a perpetual stream of media broadcasts on a daily basis, Mosse’s combination of artistic documentary methods hits our consciousness with the horror we should be feeling.
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At the heart of his work lies a search for what is ‘the impossible photograph’.
Mosse’s use of a special military surveillance film that transforms the green of the countryside into bubble gum pink lends his images a haunting impact as he documents a “vicious cycles of nightmare little wars ”.
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Some 5.4 million people have lost their lives as a direct result of the conflict in the Congo since 1998, yet we don’t really hear that much about this ongoing humanitarian disaster – it would seem the Congo has become boring news.
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Mosse’s images are shot on colour infrared film, which was used primarily for camouflage detection by US troops during WWII.
​He wants to make the “unseen seen and the invisible visible”, which is a “metaphoric leap of course”, as he himself states in an interview with Frieze magazine.
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Disorientated and often offended by the colour, viewers must carry the ethical burden of bearing witness to the war crimes.
The Art of Making Money: A Creative Alternative to Currency
Published February 7 2015, The Copenhagen Post
It’s surprising how willing people are to accept art instead of money,” Lars Kraemmer recalled about a road-trip from Canada to Mexico on which he didn’t spend a single cent.
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Instead the Dane painted pieces of art that he used to pay for food, accommodation and whatever else he needed, including even a used motorcycle.
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This and other trips were the foundation for a business plan that led to him launching Art Money.
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As old as humankind
“I had no money,” explained Kraemmer. “All I wanted to do was to paint and enjoy life. I had to think of an alternative to support myself and my art.”
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The first thing Kraemmer bought in exchange for his art was a CD, the second thing was a house, or rather the materials with which he built it. “I paid for it with a suitcase full of my paintings,” he confessed.
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Together with an impressed friend they founded Art Money: a currency consisting of handmade works of art by people who have joined the movement – always in a 12×18 cm format at a fixed value of 200 Kroner.
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“The concept of exchanging art for goods and services is as old as humankind and the value of art is recognised by all people. Art Money simply introduces a system that unites format and value to make exchange easy, fun and beautiful.”
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Dar es Salaam to Denmark
One of the most inspiring stories is the example of Otto Mlanda from Tanzania.
Mlanda started making Art Money using banana leaves and glue sourced from acacias and miombo trees. He swapped his art for a used computer and with the support of Kraemmer he was able to build up enough financial means to start his own business: bush walk tours to tourists.
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Demonstrating how international Art Money has already become, Mlanda’s art can be seen hanging on the wall of a Copenhagen hotel.
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Half-board at hotel
As the first hotel to join the Art Money community, the Ibsen Hotel in Copenhagen, which is part of Arthur Hotels, accepts up to 50 percent of the payment for overnight stays. The nicest pieces are kept and hung up.
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“As a well-established business, it’s great to be able to be part of something that helps individuals such as Mlanda,” explained Kristen Brøchner, the CEO of Arthur Hotels, holding up a framed piece of Mlanda’s work.
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“This one isn’t for sale”, she smiled as she returned it to the wall in the hotel lobby.
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“When we renovated our hotel I wanted to involve our street in all our interior design. Every piece of furniture and art or decoration has a different story to tell. When I became acquainted with the concept of Art Money, I knew it would fit the hotel’s concept well.”
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Helping good causes
'Art Money has the advantage of being a currency that does not fluctuate in value from country to country.
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“We don’t see the need to devalue the work of people who live in poorer countries, as some companies tend to think is reasonable,” said Kraemmer.
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For example, Art Money has spread to India where MR Manohar is financing a home for handicapped kids with some of the proceeds.
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“It’s also a great means for homeless people,” Kraemmer explained, who gave a talk about creating Art Money and its possibilities at a homeless centre recently.
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Growing quickly
Thanks to the internet the art project has grown bigger and faster than Kraemmer had anticipated.
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“As a movement it has grown since we joined,” said Brøchner.
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“I’d really like to see more shops join that are useful to our hotel – like a beekeeper who could offer us honey or an orchard selling us apples by accepting a percentage of our payment in Art Money.”
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And there is also the potential to move outside art. After all, Honey Money has a nice ring to it.
Art Money factfile:
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Artists can register at artmoney.org for a yearly fee of 365 kroner
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Businesses can register for free. Purchased Art Money pieces can be displayed or sold on
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Art Money is recognised by the Danish tax authorities and poses no complications to businesses accepting it.
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Businesses who accept Art Money payments advertise via stickers on entrances, much like those for Visa or American Express.
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Collectors are already seeking out Art Money as it can often be worth more than its 200kr fixed price.
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There have already been exhibitions of the works without any involvement of Kraemmer himself.
Fünf Street Artists „Versprühen“ #moreromance in Berlin
Published September 20, 2017 for mint&berry by Zalando as part of the #moreromance campaign
English version below
In den letzten Tagen haben wir in geheimer Mission das Berliner Stadtbild romantisiert. Fünf talentierte Street Art Künstler, fünf Kunstwerke und fünf Locations – jede mit ganz unterschiedlichen Ansätzen zum Thema #moreromance. Und so besonders und einzigartig wie die Stadt Berlin selbst. Unsere Redakteurin berichtet.
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Es ist ein klarer Herbstmorgen. Der letzte Tag des Spätsommers ist gefühlt nur knapp eine Woche her. Das besondere Licht dieser Jahreszeit erfüllt den frühen Morgenhimmel als ich aus der U-Bahn steige. Ich nehme einen tiefen Atemzug, genieße die frische Luft. Dann drehe ich mich einige Male im Kreis, die Augen auf den blauen Positionspunkt auf Google Maps gerichtet und versuche mich zu orientieren. Ich finde meinen Weg zum ersten Treffpunkt heute und bin sogar zu früh. Street Artist @eulenheulen aus der Schweiz ist mir trotzdem zuvorgekommen und sitzt schon in der Sonne an der Brücke; die Strahlen spiegeln sich im Wasser der Spree unter uns. Dies ist die zweite Location unserer Aktion von insgesamt fünf – zwei Tage zuvor fing die Aktion in einem Berliner Park mit Street Artist @lieb.sein an. Während wir auf die restliche Truppe warten, habe ich Zeit, @eulenheulen einige Fragen zu stellen.
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2. @EULENHEULEN
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mint&berry: „Was bedeutet dir deine Kunst? Warum hast du die Straßen als Leinwand ausgewählt?
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@eulenheulen: Also für meine Kunst, in Anführungsstrichen, benutze ich nur die Straße, weil es mir wirklich nur um Stadtverschönerung geht. Mein Ziel ist es, in trüben und dreckigen Ecken etwas Schönes reinzubringen, etwas was Freude macht und vielleicht auch ein Lächeln entlockt oder zum Nachdenken anregt. Es geht darum, etwas sichtbar zu machen und dieses Grau zu durchbrechen.
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mint&berry: „Was bedeutet #moreromance für dich ganz persönlich?
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@eulenheulen: „#moreromance ist genau das, was ich auch will. #moreromance ist genau das, was die Welt braucht. Mehr Liebe, mehr Einhörner, mehr Regenbögen … in der Schweiz sagen wir dazu “Regenbögli”.
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mint&berry: „Was für Themen behandelst du grundsätzlich in deinen Kunstwerken, welche treiben dich an deine Kunst zu formulieren? Hast du bestimmte Inspirationsquellen?“
@eulenheulen: Für mich sind das Veganismus, Frauenthemen und Regenbogenthemen (also Themen bei denen es um Homosexualität geht). Das sind die Dinge die mich dazu antreiben, Statements im öffentlichen Raum zu setzen. Auch weil sie für mich persönlich etwas bedeuten.
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mint&berry: „Wenn du einen beliebigen Ort auf der Welt mit deiner Kunst verschönern könntest, welcher wäre das?
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@eulenheulen: Es gibt so viele Orte und dunkle Stellen, die traurig aussehen, bei denen ich mir denke “die brauchen jetzt ein bisschen Liebe”. Die muss man gar nicht benennen.
mint&berry: „Was würdest du der Welt in Sachen #moreromance wünschen?“
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@eulenheulen: More Romance! (Lacht). Es braucht mehr Liebe auf der Welt – mehr Respekt und Toleranz.
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Mittlerweile sind wir komplett. Dann geht auf einmal alles ganz schnell. @eulenheulen plakatiert das mitgebrachte Cut-Out an eine Wand der nahegelegenen S-Bahn-Brücke mit frisch gemischtem Kleister. Der musste noch schnell gekauft werden, da der eigene vom Zoll, aufgrund von Mengeneinschränkungen, konfisziert wurde. Denn @eulenheulen ist extra für uns aus der Schweiz angereist.Wir erlauben uns ein bisschen Zeit, das Kunstwerk zu begutachten. Die leuchtenden Farben des Regenbogens strahlen uns entgegen.
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3. @CAZ.L
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Dann geht es auf zur nächsten Location, wo wir Street Artist Ann treffen. Unter dem Tag @caz.l bekannt, verschönert sie mit ihrer filigranen Stencil-Kunst nicht nur den urbanen Raum Berlins, wie alle unserer Künstler, ist auch sie in der ganzen Welt unterwegs.
Heute hilft sie uns dabei, an einer Wand in einer von Berlins zentralen Stadtteilen #moreromance zu ‚versprühen‘. Und das im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes. Bereits in der Nacht hat @caz.l in Rot, Pink und Orange ihr Stencil von einem Vogel über das Ende einer Wasserrinne gesprüht. Der letzte Schliff fehlt aber noch. Mit Kreidespray wird nun das Kampagnen-Hashtag #moreromance, zusammen mit zwei Herzchen, hinzugefügt.
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4. @SEUFZ234
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Zwei Locations bleiben uns noch. Zur nächsten müssen wir nur fünfzehn Minuten laufen und dort angekommen, gönnen wir uns einen kleinen Kaffee in der Mittagssonne. Dort treffen wir niemand Geringeren als den deutschen Pop-Art-Künstler und Vertreter der Art Modeste Jim Avignon (@seufz234). Avignon ist unter anderem für sein unter Denkmalschutz stehendes Mauerbild von 1991 an der East Side Gallery. Welches er übrigens im Oktober 2013 in einer Protestaktion übermalte.
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Avignons Bilder beziehen sich oft kritisch auf Gegenwartsprobleme, wie zum Beispiel auf den Mangel an zwischenmenschliche Kommunikation fernab sozialer Netzwerke und wir freuen uns, dass Avignon seine persönliche Interpretation von #moreromance mit einem Kunstwerk im Handumdrehen an eine Ecke kleistert. Avignons Cut-Out zeigt zwei zärtlich, in sich verschlungene Menschen. Dabei tritt einer dem Anderen aus dem Bildschirm eines Computers entgegen.
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5. @RABEA_SENFTENBERG
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Unterdessen senkt sich die Sonne langsam hinter den Dächern der Stadt. Wir kommen zu unserem letzten Stunt des Tages. Vor einem Burger Joint kleistert @rabea_senftenberg vor unseren gebannten Augen ihr Cut-Out an die untere Seite der Wand, so dass es fast so aussieht, als stehen ihre unverkennbaren Katzenfiguren auf dem Gehweg.
Sie ist erst gestern aus Afrika zurückgekehrt und ich bin von ihrer positiven Art, die sie trotz Schlafmangel an den Tag legt, sehr beeindruckt. Noch mehr bin ich natürlich von ihrem illustratorischen Können begeistert. Ich frage @rabea_senftenberg, was sie mit ihrer Street Art am meisten zu bewirken hofft. „Leuten eine Freude zu machen – wenn jemand mal einen schlechten Tag hat, hoffe ich, dass meine Kunst ihnen eine kleine Freude bereiten kann. Deshalb teile ich sie auch draußen in den Straßen.“
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5 talented street artists spread #moreromance in the streets of Berlin
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For three days we brought a little extra romance to Berlin’s streets. Five talented street artists, five works of art and five different locations – each with their own interpretation of #moreromance. Our editor recounts:
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It’s a clear autumn morning. The last day of late summer is barely a week ago. The fresh light of the new season is spread across the early sky as I step out of the underground. I take a deep breath, relishing the crispness in the air. I then proceed to turn around in circles a few times, my eyes fixed on the blue dot on google maps, as I try to orientate myself. Eventually, I find my way and arrive at our meeting place early, but Swiss street artist @eulenheulen has beat me to it. We sit by a bridge, the sunlight reflecting off the river Spree beneath us. This is mint&berry’s second of five street art stunts – we completed the first one with street artist @lieb.sein in one of Berlin’s many parks two days ago – all in the name of spreading #moreromance across the city. I get to ask @eulenheulen a few questions as we wait for the rest of the group to arrive.
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mint&berry: “What does your art mean to you and why have you chosen the street as your canvas?”
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@eulenheulen: “For my art, in inverted commas, I use only the street because to me it’s about making cities more beautiful. My aim is to add something nice to dreary and dirty corners. Something, that can bring joy to a passerby, maybe even elicit a smile or prompt a conversation. It’s about making something visible and breaking through all the grey.”
mint&berry: “What does #moreromance signify to you personally?”
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@eulenheulen: “#moreromance is exactly what I want to achieve with my work. #moreromance is exactly what the world needs. More love, more rainbows… in Switzerland we call them “Regenbögli”, more unicorns.
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mint&berry: “What kind of topics do you address in your works, what are the topics and things that motivate and inspire you?”
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@eulenheulen: “Veganism, topics concerning women, and “Rainbowtopics” concerning homosexuality. These are the things that really drive me to do what I do, to fill public spaces with statements. Especially, because these things mean something to me on a very personal level.”
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mint&berry: “If you could “beautify” any place on earth, which would it be?”
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@eulenheulen: “There are so many places and dark spots that look sad and that make me think “they need a little bit of love”.
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mint&berry: “What do you wish for the world in terms of #moreromance?”
@eulenheulen: “More romance!” (Laughs). “The world needs more love, respect, and tolerance.”
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Meanwhile, our group is now complete. Then everything goes every fast. @eulenheulen placards the cut-out to the close-by S-Bahn bridge with fresh paste. @eulenheulen had to quickly buy some here, as customs confiscated @eulenheulen’s own paste powder at the border, due to volume limitations. We allow us a few moments, to take in the work of art. The colours of the rainbow radiate towards us.
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Then we set off to our next location, where we meet street artist Ann. Known under the tag Caz.L, she embellishes urban spaces with sophisticated stencil art of animals and high divers. Like all of our street artists, @caz.l is constantly travelling the world with her art, yet today she helps us spray #moreromance to a wall in one of Berlin’s central districts. Because of the daily bustle of this location, @caz.l sprayed her bird made of red, pink and orange onto the wall last night. But the finishing touches are still missing. With chalk-spray she adds our campaign hashtag #moreromance, and two little hearts.
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We have two locations left. It only takes us fifteen minutes walk to the next one – here we treat ourselves to a coffee outside in the afternoon sun. Then no other than contemporary German pop artist and representative of the art modeste, Jim Avignon (@seufz234), arrives. Known, amongst other works, for his listed work of art on the East Side Gallery from 1991, which he painted over in protest in 2013.
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Avignon’s work often depicts current issues critically. One topic being, fittingly in terms of our campaign, the lack of interpersonal communication outside of the digital world. We’re more than delighted to see Avignon share his personal interpretation of #moreromance on a corner of Berlin for us. (Avignon's Cut-Out shoes two people embracing each other gently, as one of the figures emerges from a computer screen.)
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By now the sun is slowly sinking behind the rooftops of the city. We arrive at our last destination of the day. In front of a burger joint, and our mesmerized eyes, @rabea_senftenberg pastes her cut-out to the bottom of a wall. Just so, that her signature cat figures almost look like as if they are standing on the pavement with us.
@rabea_senftenberg only just got back from Africa yesterday, and I am impressed by her positive manner, despite considerable sleep deprivation. I am also enthralled by her talent as an illustrator. I ask her, what she hopes to achieve the most with her work. “To bring joy to people! If someone is having a bad day, I hope that my art can bring some small amount of joy to that person. That’s why I share it outside in the streets.”