1. The daily sunset shot of the TV Tower from our AIR BNB

In early June, I took a trip to Berlin to help lead a group of students on an exchange from Keri Jaworski’s German classes at Kealing Middle School in Austin to explore the city and learn about its history and culture. Also aimed to do a quick sketch or two. With a quick trip to Prague to visit my brother, it was a great couple weeks of meeting ups with friends and new and capturing moments mundane and extraordinary.

2. TV Tower by Noah Jaworski

 

3. Just off the plane and hungry…at Erbil Kurdish restaurant, learning a little German.

4. A welcome dinner ay the Zenner Biergarten on the Spree, meeting the students host families and teachers.

5. An Ewok village in the city—the kids climbing the trees at Waldhochseilgarten Jungfernheide

6. Sketching in motion—drawing on and from the U-bahn, S-bahn and Trams. So many people to draw and also enjoyed capturing some of the station mosaics.

7. Outside Cafe Jacques

8. Enjoying the eclectic ambiance and mediterranean dishes at Café Jacques

9. The Kids collaborating on animated shorts during a wonderful animation workshop at the Deutsche Kinemathek.

10. Exploring the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, with the kids sharing their own impressions and interpretations of the monument.

11. Headed Prague-ways form Berlin Central Station.

12. Saturday in Prague, from the Castle to the Golden Tiger pub.

13. Sketching relics from the Old Jewish Center of Prague, where there had been a vibrant community for over a thousand years, including from the Altneu-Synagogue which was built in 1270.

14. In the center of it, the old Jewish Cemetery dating from the 15th century. The top left sketch is of the Grave of Rabbi Judah ben Bezalel Loew, aka as The Maharal, who legend had it created The Golem to defend the city’s Jewish community and then decommissioned it when it went awry…

15. Before leaving Prague, my brother Eitan took me to his favorite Kosher restaurant—”The Golem”. Where we incidentally discussed all things, Golem.

16. Catching up with old friends of friends over some traditional German faire.

17. Finally got to meet Rolf Schroeder, who I have know online for years through Urban Sketcher online forum! He showed me the amazing gallery at Teufelsberg, a former U.S. army listening station built atop a hill of rubble and debris from World War II. Afterwards we caught up, and in true Urban Sketcher form, of course sketched each other.

18. Caught up with another expat friend for lunch the next day in Prenzlauerberg—my friend Jess who I worked with in NYC 16 years ago and who I probably haven’t seen in 12. But it was like not a day had passed! Had a great lunch and she directed me to the local art supply store…

19. Caught up with my friend and fellow ex-Spredfaster Jeff at the Franken Bar in Kreuzberg. Evidently Ghost BC was in town, and their road crew was partying at the table behind us.

20. Eventually Carla, who had been on the Ghost BC European crew but was now working as an EMT in Berlin, joined us and told us some stories.

21. Hitting the Ritter Sport Colorful Chocolate World Berlin with the kids. Learned quite a bit about Cacao fruit and the chocolate making process, and we all got to make our own custom bars.

22. No shortage of great subjects on the trains, and luckily we were constantly on and off them. Loved this about Berlin, bringing me back to my NYC subway sketching days!

23. Watching the “History of Berlin” VR experience at the TV Tower.

24. At the Noble Rot Wine Bar in Freidrichshain, sketching patrons as they come and go and enjoy their wine on the lively sidewalk.

25. Received a visit from a local artist, Andre Boitard. We had a great conversation about the nature of living as an artist and he gifted me a quick sketch. I made it into a collab…

26. Learning about AI generated sculptures, the vast potential of Mycelium (never mind “The Last of Us”), other glimpses of the future, and teh big hit, of course, was the swing.

27. We had an amazing trip to the Jewish Museum in Berlinen. Our guide Tomasso started explained to us the vision of the museum’s architect—Daniel Libeskind. The building’s design helped to tell the story—from the three axises that run through the building representing history, the Diaspora and the Holocaust, to the Sukkah-like atrium and several other features, it guided the visitor on a journey through the experience of German Jewry.

28. More great subjects on the Bahn.

Photo by Steffi Fielitz

29. We had a great time with Isaac and Martine, a couple of folks from the U.S. Embassy. They explained a bit to the kids about what they did , the function of the embassy and took questions. They were also curious of the kids’ impressions of Berlin. Bread was mentioned…

30. Hanging with Markus and Chrisie

31. On the bahn with the kids and a cosplayer on their commute.

32. My last day in Berlin was a busy one…Meeting the Broich family for brunch at the Mars Cafe on the grounds of “Silent Green”, a former crematorium turned event venue in the Wedding neighborhood.

Photo: Keri Jaworski

Drawing and Photo by Keri Jaworski

After stopping off at that apartment, we headed to the Holzmarkt 25, an outdoor creative space by the Spree with art installs, markets and a variety of amazing food vendors. We stopped for some food and I ran a mini Gonzo Drawing workshop.

33. Sketching Chrisie, Noah and Keri during our workshop

34. Line doodle of the Holzmarkt - Noticed some old-school NYC references with the “Missing Foundation” logo painted on a dumpster.

35. My last Berlin meal, meeting with the OG teachers from the school hosting the exchange at the Jäger & Lustig restaurant for some traditional German faire.

Prints and originals are available for sale, email ami@gonzoviz.com for more info.

And last year’s collaboration between Keri Jaworksi and I, “Berlin” limited edition print, is for sale on my Etsy.

Contact ami@gonzoviz.com for all inquiries. ©2014-2024 Amitai Plasse