6th International Project Workshop „Earth“, January 17-23, 2016 – a review:
This year, too, the wannseeFORUM was the site of a special encounter at the beginning of the year: 35 young participants of an international German course of the Goethe-Institut Berlin met 30 students from Berlin Nelson Mandela School. In six artistic workshops – music, theater, dance, black and white photography, visual arts, and experimental film – everything revolved around the theme of "Earth": the planet, the material, the element. The participants collaboratively developed their own artistic approaches to the theme and also practically tested how communication in German – regardless of proficiency level – can succeed. As in previous years, the young people were supported by guest lecturers from the wannseeFORUM and language teachers from the Goethe-Institut.
As broad as the spectrum of different art forms was, so too were the questions and approaches to the theme that the participants developed in their workshops. For example, the "Dance" group (led by Sven Seeger) explored how landscapes can be created from human bodies. The "Fine Arts" workshop (Hilkka Alaviuhkola) focused on the bird's-eye view – the Earth from above. The two films created in the "Experimental Film" workshop (Katja Pratschke) dealt with territories, transgressions of boundaries, and the question of our responsibility for the continued existence of our planet. The participants in the "Black and White Photography" workshop (Silke Krüger) examined, among other things, the botanical significance of soil – as well as the soil we carry beneath our feet. A "dance on the volcano" was presented in the cabaret-style revue of the "Theater" group (Bernhard Gaudian). And under the title "The Journey of M", the music group (Zarko Jovasevic) took the audience of the final presentation on a multifaceted journey around the world with self-written songs.
In addition to the work in the art workshops, thematic excursions, an "Earth Rally," a casino night, and numerous shared leisure activities rounded out the program. Saying goodbye after seven intensive days together was difficult for the participants, as the seminar not only produced unique artworks and new perspectives on the theme of Earth, but also fostered new friendships – all the more reason to continue this collaboration between the wannseeFORUM, the Goethe-Institut Berlin, and the Nelson Mandela School in the future. The next International Project Workshop is planned for January 2017 – we're looking forward to it!
Seminar impressions on Flickr:
The seminar was funded by the Senate Department for Education, Youth and Science.