Material for thought

Check out my conversation with Kati Blom on the website of the International Society for the Philosophy of Architecture. It follows a philosophical paper I published last year on the appropriation of space.

“The objective of I S P A is to promote rigorous philosophical engagement with the subject of architecture by providing an informal platform for parties interested in furthering the cause.” Excellent initiative indeed!

Since my current occupation is to write a graphic novel, I’m free to work wherever I want. So, I have decided to stay in Berlin for few months. Here are few glimpses from the autumn:

What you can see when you walk the streets of North Neukölln for many hours such as I did.

An electronic shop on Hermannstrasse in Neukölln. People have more time in Berlin it seems, and they use it well.

A building in Volkspark Hasenheide, when futurism meets Berlin culture!

Canals in Neukölln, perfect for a breakfast.

Since my current occupation is to write a graphic novel, I’m free to work wherever I want. So, I have decided to stay in Berlin for few months. Here are few glimpses from my last summer:

A magical art installation by Hans Peter Feldmann at the Berlin's Hamburger Bahnhof. The objects are mechanically rotated and form a moving scene of shadows on the wall.

A ceiling painting by Daniel Richter at the Berlin's Hamburger Bahnhof. The contemporary work fits somehow well in the room.

The strange atmosphere of the forgotten Königskolonnaden built in 1780 in Kleistpark

Japan is full of beautiful gardens, but none of them impressed me as much as the Ryoan-ji garden in Kyoto. The best is to visit the Zen garden early in the morning before the other tourists come in, and to be alone in front of the masterpiece. The garden itself is small and very simple, but once you have seen it, all other gardens seem gimmicky and missing the essential. Many books have been published about this garden, but one specific aspect that struck me is its relation with the outside. The walled garden is actually within a bigger garden, and even though you cannot see it from the inside, you can hear it and see the branches of the trees. I would even say that the best way to enjoy the outside garden is from the Ryoan-ji garden. It is the essence of any garden, offering a window to the outside world, a meaningful perspective.

I walked a lot while I was in Tokyo. The Shibuya district is particularly rich in new buildings, here are the pictures.

The H&M building by Jun Mitsui Architects

The Prada shop by Herzog and de Meuron

The Tod's building by Toyo Ito

Happy to be back at the hotel after this long walk.