This is the visual and audible diary of my Berlin story. Instead of writing thousands of words, I sketched while listening to music to record my life. By presenting sketching, music, photos and some notes, hopefully I can bring you into my life and imagine how I felt at that time.
*You can find the original music piece at YouTube or Soundcloud by clicking the img.
Sep 1
Tiergarten
At the first day of exploring this city, I walked around Tiergarten. Surprisingly found some nude guys laying on the grass. Unlike the nude beach in SF, there were some young naked guys. I only saw them from far distance and felt interested that some of them had bikes aside.
José González is a Swedish singer currently stays in Berlin (there's a concert at Nov 3rd @Tempolhof). His music makes me feel very hipster.
Sep 9
Oblomov Kreuzkoelln
My friend invited me to this open mic event in this cozy bar. There were 5-6 singers from different places. This guy’s voice was so intoxicating that invoked me so many memories. Instead of literally drawing out what I was thinking of, I used different materials to visualize the different memories.
Sep 12-13
Tempelhof
European has very different style than American in music festival. Water bottle was not allowed to bring in but the juice box was ok? Almost everyone used the tape to carry the juice box. Flower headband is a must-have item! Can’t miss it next time! BTW not many Asian there. probably only 1/100.
Sep 17
ZOB
My unforgettable birthday trip to Amsterdam started from missing the night bus in ZOB in a cold night. I couldn’t speak any German and not many people spoke English there. Waiting there for another 3 hours, I felt I was incredibly stupid and miserable. However, I didn’t expect it was just a start of my adventure. Happy 27th birthday, Princess C.
遠くの君のもとへと 届けよう
Sep 23
Gedenkstätte Berlin-Hohenschönhausen
Before going to this notorious prison, I watched the movie “The lives of others” and that made me mentally immersed into this space more. The sketch was inspired by the lighting in the prison. Lots of eyes represent the the fear of prisoners, victims, suffered families as well as Nazi surveillance. Paradise Circus is the song I would listen over and over again when I feel depressed.
Sep 26
Berghain
This is definitely the must-go in Berlin. I went there around 3am since I fell asleep quite early on Friday night. Surprisingly there was no line
and I had no problem getting in. It was a crazy place but I was not really into techno. It was very funny that the shutter was opened for
few seconds to remind people it was bright outside. When I got out of the club, it was 8 am. Having a coffee and start my day.
Everyday
OTA
The wifi in my apartment is just way too incredible! It was never stable even though we had complained at the very beginning. It caused lag everytime I videochated with my friend as if I was living in Indonesia. (I’ve lived there so trust me, it was the same quality) Now I can’t even watch Taylor Swift’s vedio on YouTube, how sweet!
Sep 27
Dock 11
I didn’t know it was Butoh show until I got there since I couldn’t read German on the website. It was avant-garde, untraditional and provocative but I was really touched. I projected myself in it that how I've struggled in my life and felt very depressed. “You are manipulated by others, you are no longer free.”
Rainy days
Schönhauser Allee
This is the street I walked to Hekersher markt station everyday. Walking is like meditation for me. It's like a morning ritual putting on my earphone and thinking about philosophy. Sometimes the depressing weather triggered the sad part of me. I didn't try to escape the feeling; kinda enjoy indulging in the peaceful and sentimental feeling. This song is like my Prozac. I used to listen every day.
Sometimes
On the street
No description needed.
Oct 7
Flying Step Academy
I got into the room which was supposed to be intermediate house dance. However, they switched the classroom and that was my first ever advanced Hip Hop class, taught in German. So much fun. I had no idea what I was doing.
Oct 16
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It was the first night going out party with other Art Center kids. Absolutely fun night. Wearing heels was the biggest mistake because I was very painful when I walked home at the next day's morning.
Oct 17
Kesselhaus
This is my first time going to street dance battle event. Well, not the one dance in the middle but an observer. It was really cool and some kids were very impressive. I’m gonna let my kid learning dancing (if I have a kid).
Oct 20
Einstein Kaffee
There was only two weeks left. I felt so stressful since there were tons of things to be completed and I was not good at coding (so I gave up). I usually came to this cafe in Bikini Berlin so I could be more concentrated. Snapchat was my fav when I needed to relax. Normally I listen to deep house or jazz while working but I like EDM when I’m extremely stressful. Jauz is one of my fav DJ.
Very often
Studio
I didn’t know Haribo is German brand until I saw Haribo everywhere in Berlin. There are much more flavors here, so does Ritter Sport. It’s very hard to resist the temptation when I walk by in the supermarket. I love binging sweets especially when I’m stressed out. (It's just an excuse)
Oct 22
Cafe Einstein
At the final day of German class, we went to this fine cafe with teacher Krestin. It was surprisingly a nice place and everyone looked elegant and relax. But my friend's and my cake never came so I asked the waiter if we could cancel it. He just said: "TALK TO ME! I'm very busy" as if it was my fault not reminding him. (The cake shelf was just right next to me) Or maybe it's just his English.
Oct 23
Cafe Savigny
Found this nice cafe when I was wandering around zoobanhof (which our studio is located). No wifi, classical music, sophisticated people, well-dressed waiters, beautiful sunshine projecting through the trees and window... can't help imagining myself as an elegant lady sipping coffee. Well, the real fact is I was wearing glasses, sports top, legging and spread the eraser litter all over the table because I was drawing crazily. How attractive! To be honest, I played piano (classic) for 7 years when I was a child. My father is also a classic music lover so this music reminds me the old time at home.
The third picture on the right is not my photo. It's my friend, Stella, and she's a fashion blogger based in New York. Go check out her blog (written in both English and Chinese): http://satelierofficial.com/
This diary totally reveals who I am and what I'm doing (I feel I'm naked now woooooo...) I just realized the comic still strongly influenced my style even though I haven't drawn comic for more than 10 years. I've been trained to practice industrial product sketching since I studied in Art Center and that helps the perspective and composition a lot. Anyway, hope you enjoy reading and listening it ;-)
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