NON - STOP WORKSHOP

SOUND READING_PATERNOSTER LIFT #1

FIRST MEETING_NON - STOP LIFT CYCLE

SOUND READING_PATERNOSTER LIFT #2

WednesdayAs the newly formed non-stop group, the seven of us proceeded to the Ring Bahn, a circular track that encloses central Berlin. The subway continues the same route all day. This was the location of discussions on non-stop themes that evolved around four main topics including food, texts, islands and a product worth a minimum of 100 euros. These four topics were given to us as a starting point for theoretical discussions on the subject of non-stop. Over a ball of green yarn, and with the strange sights, sounds and smells of the subway, we contemplated the meaning behind non-stop. An endless notion that we soon discovered had to be limited in order to be defined. All you can eat, for example. The concept of unsatisfied hunger is a temporary illusion. Furthermore, the omnipresent sun will once end. The life cycle of food and living organisms will also end. Although life is part of an ongoing cycle that doesn’t necessarily end at death, there seems to eventually be an end in the greater cycle, or rather a continuation into a realm of another cycle, beyond what the mind is capable of processing and comprehending. Food, for example, can be seen in two different ways when analysed under the non-stop theory. The all you can eat phenomenon or the German term Schlaraffenland, the land of plenty. Then there is the food that has a life cycle and becomes compost at the end and thus continues to nurture the earth and provide for new growth. The text that was given to us from the blessed design leaders discussed consumerism, mass production, price quality ratio. Can cheap products be of good quality? The text didn’t seem to think so. Can mass production be associated with all you can eat? Can food be of good quality when mass produced? Maybe, if the consumer is willing to pay the price. We were told to meet in the Haus des Rundfunks on Wednesday afternoon and hold conversations, ask questions and get answers while spending the whole time in a doorless elevator and communicating seconds at a time to the Blessed team leaders standing on the second floor. The elevators had the non-stop character, up and down and turn to the side once they reach the top and bottom. At this point, the association of non-stop and the essence of floating on water became evident. Our theme would be the island and the non-stop flow of water. This was the input for the final presentation. The search for a location began. Contenders included the fountain at Ernst Reuter Platz, an island within a vehicle circulation island. We quickly realised the water was too minimal to support anything substantial. A stream with a waterfall in the Tiergarten was also considered. The idea of hanging over a waterfall and watching the water was born.

POINT OF DEPARTURE_NON - STOP RING BAHN DISCUSSION

SECOND MEETING - SPIN CLASS_NON - STOP CYCLING

SOUND READING_SPIN CLASS

ThursdayWhile fitness cycling, we discussed the waterfall. Good idea, find a location. We revisited the Tiergarten. The span of the stream, the lack of trees on the bend and the presence of a surveillance camera led us to consider other alternatives. A location in Kreuzberg was a possibility, although the waterflow was stagnant and therefore rejected. Finally, the Wuhletal met all requirements. There were three trees and a small waterfall with adequately flowing water. The span of the stream did not pose too much of a challenge. Materials were purchased. A large net was not available, but generic hammocks made of simple rope were a reasonable alternative. The main idea was to be able to see through the net onto the flowing water. Large cords were purchased to attach to trees, and the hammocks to the cords. A construction system was established and tested on site. In the afternoon our assignment included communicating to kindergartners the net over flowing water idea. A play actively involving children as flowing water while we were nets supporting other children was a success.

MEETING THREE - KINDERGARTEN_NON - STOP CHILDREN

SOUND READING_KINDERGARTEN

REALISATION_#1

SOUND READING_NON - STOP PROJECT REALISATION, ABOVE THE STREAM

FridayAfter watching the two other final presentations including no sight and no shame, it was our turn at 17:00. The chords were tied between three trees on both sides of the river bend. Five hammocks tied to the two chords would eventually hold five lucky people above the water in the midspring sunshine on a lazy Friday afternoon on the outskirts of Berlin. Beer was provided to enhance the relaxing atmosphere, with the cool breeze from the river, the sound of water trickling through the waterfall and the reflection of the sun on the water’s surface. The setting promoted discussions about the non-stop character in food, texts, islands and products over 100 euros, the original themes that provoked reflection on the first day. It was a pleasant end to a three day workshop full of sights, sounds and non-stop thinking.

REALISATION_#2

PROJECT CONCEPT - ELEVATED PLATFORM ABOVE STREAM.

SOUND READING_NON - STOP PROJECT REALISATION, ABOVE THE STREAM

REALISATION_#3

REALISATION_#4

THE NON - STOP TEAM ISMartin Abbott, Susanne Graunitz, Shin Hyun-jin, Eduardo Viana, Sebstian Awick, Delia Schaedel, Nic Rauch

SOUND READING_PATERNOSTER LIFT #1