DannyB

An Artist’s Colony; imagine that

There are much better accounts of the Künstlerkolonie Mathildenhöhe in Darmstadt than I could ever write. With maps, diagrams and professional photographs. There are people much better qualified to write about the architects and dates and styles and influences and influenced. I was just a bystander for the day, a casual observer, soaking up theContinue reading “An Artist’s Colony; imagine that”

The new ruins crush the soul of the possibilities of earlier revolutions

There is a great market in Offenbach-am-Main three times a week, including Saturday morning. It’s a good place to practice speaking English. The repetition of buying fruit and vegetables and bread and cheese and fish and meat helps to remember the words. One of the stalls sells nothing but potatoes. I explained to the womanContinue reading “The new ruins crush the soul of the possibilities of earlier revolutions”

Coming into Frankfurt-am-Main

There’s a mirage effect in the Channel. A ship appears to be hovering above the sea. It would make a good photograph. But I must hurry as I have a train to catch, and then a plane. I glance at the ship one more time and hasten to the railway station. The mean spirited andContinue reading “Coming into Frankfurt-am-Main”

Get back into the Offices

Get back into the officesfor your daily dose ofalienationexploitationoppressionimmiserationatomisationisolation Get back into the officeson the basis of our needsthat is; the richthere is dirty money therehidden, tax havensshell companiestax avoidance schemes Get back into the officesour friendsthe Russian oligarchsare asking whytheir profits start to fall Get back into the officesthe KuwaitiSovereign Wealth Fundhave given soContinue reading “Get back into the Offices”

Ramsgate, the welfare state and a new born baby

Early Saturday morning. I’m talking to one of the people who works at the station. We are always comparing notes as to when we might be able to retire.‘I just want to go now’, she says, ‘I like my job, but there’s too much politics and too much unfairness’.I totally agree with her. And byContinue reading “Ramsgate, the welfare state and a new born baby”

The train from Dresden to Berlin, Monday 9th May

The German railway system is resting on a reputation which was tarnished long ago. It is a terrible service. Long delays, cancellations, unexplained stops in the middle of nowhere. It has been like this for years. One never looks forward to travelling by train in this country. There is always a sense of gloom andContinue reading “The train from Dresden to Berlin, Monday 9th May”

Hufeisensiedlung – One & One is Three

A list of streets were written by hand into a small notebook. This is much easier to use than any sort of digital device. There is no signing on, no search button, no need for a G4 or wifi connection. The list is important because sometimes you arrive at a place and you are notContinue reading “Hufeisensiedlung – One & One is Three”

Siedlung Schillerpark

Most of the good stuff about housing, urban topographies, planning, environments, living space has already been written. Jane Jacobs, Catherine Bauer, Christopher Alexander, Raymond Unwin, William Morris, Bruno Taut, Camillo Sitte and many others. I doubt anyone is going to improve much on that substantial mass of work. And if even 10 percent of whatContinue reading “Siedlung Schillerpark”

Ceciliengärten

I phoned my mum from Berlin (or Ber-leene as she says it). I spoke in a formal voice.‘Guten abend’‘Guten abend’ she replied. There was a pause.‘Wie geht es dir?‘Ja gut’.‘Ich bin in Berlin’.‘Ja….’‘It’s me….I’m in Berlin…’We laughed so much. People might not realise that there’s still an older Germany in existence. An older Germany thatContinue reading “Ceciliengärten”

A Short Ride on the U-Bahn

The apartment is just off the Kurfürstendamm, on the top floor of a building constructed around 1910. It is light and airy and quiet. It has a central location but there is no sound of motorism. The building is created around a courtyard which has large mature trees and a glorious spread of flowers andContinue reading “A Short Ride on the U-Bahn”