November 2011
3 posts
October 2011
15 posts
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“Templehof served as the gateway to the world for hundreds of thousands of citizens. For Martin Luther King, Zara Leander, the Beatles and many other stars, celebrities and politician, the airport was an international meeting place that provided the backdrop for countless news reports.
On the 31st October 2008 air traffic operations at Templehof were shut down for good. After nearly 100 years, visitors can now enjoy the wide-open spaces of Templehof Park for leisure activities.” (Tourist Information billboard)
Templehof was a gateway for many since 1927. The airport houses a variety of different businesses now, but the majority of the runway is open for public use. Kite flying is prime in the windy and wide location, runners, cyclist and families are able to enjoy the space.
We were expecting to see an abandoned airport, desolate and decaying, instead we found a hive of activity. The airport lies in between time and has a haunting existence, it is no longer an airport and three years after closing it still owns that identity. Cracks in the pavement allow flowers to breathe life into the runway of tarmac. Plans are to turn the runway into a garden full of life.
badkettle proposed.
Badkettle will be undertaking their enquiry in Berlin, inhabiting the overlooked and discounted spaces within the urban landscape. They will be activating these ignored spaces through performative installations and formulated task-based activities.
