Published: 30 Nov 12 12:13 CET | Print version
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/opinion/20121130-46483.html
Is life so easy for artists in Berlin that it saps them of their creativity? The Local's Marc Young debunks some overseas hype surrounding the German capital.
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Your comments about this article:
I'm from Los Angeles and live in Berlin since 2001 -I was living in New York before then... long story.
True, Berlin is slow compared to other EU cities and it is filled with more than enough artists. But, to be successful in Berlin one should find out who is who and work their way up the ladder rather than across the bar or whatever else gets them high. Don't get me wrong, you can meet get some good connections at parties, but unfortunately some crews are tighter than others and one can only really get a good connect once the others define you as a artist, rather than a tourist coming to party and make money on the side.
One thing I should say is that it really requires discipline and persistence to make it. They say if you make it in New York you make it anywhere... I like to think if you can make it in Berlin you make it anywhere because there's so many "lazy" traps.
If I would give a tip, I'd say "Think of Berlin as your home and practice room -you can't really make money sitting around practicing -but you'll get better." Basically, work in Berlin and tour in a more artist supported country -like France.
Berlin, for me, is for creation and testing your creations.
An elderly couple is walking down the street. The man suddenly has a heart attack / stroke and he falls down. The woman starts to scream frantically "Is there a doctor in here?!". A crowd of arch-hipsters gathers around them and go:
Hipster 1: "No, I'm an artist".
Hipster 2: "I'm a DJ".
Hipster 3: "I'm a designer".
Hipster 4: "I'm a photographer". (And snaps a shot).
Hipster 5: "I'm so underground you haven't heard of my profession yet...!".
Again this is just an overestimated subective report of a guy who blames others for his misfortune and who is not wise enough to follow a plan. If you look at the start-up scene, Berlin has risen to be the most successful place in Europe. There are 5 start-ups per day and investors - also google - bring millions of euros to berlin. I know many hard working creative people who do not party much but who earn so much money but have no time to spend it... (I would take some ;)
I am a jazz musician and especially love to tag myself a green or ecological jazz musician. Call me "unplugged" and then pat my shoulder and I feel flattered indeed. That's a real value!
Okay, who has a **gettin'-too-lazy** problem here in Berlin? How about little health check? I mean, depression is not uncommon in Winter. So, if you have difficulties getting out of bed, this is not specifically an 'artists' problem. Plus, Berlin is much closer the North Pole than New York. The New Yorkite skin probably makes more vitamin D than the Berliner.
Whatsoever, living on 'art' is almost impossible anyway. Building your life on art is like building on quicksand. No, I don't play that kinda lottery. To have my shoulders patted and be called an 'artist' or what? But in case you have the guts to dare it, why not prefer Berlin? Apartments dirt-cheap here, so why risk it elsewhere? Many of those who get by here wouldn't make it elsewhere. It's not always the best musician who make it, so the Muses probably appreciate the easy conditions in Berlin. ;o)
http://www.electronicbeats.net/2012/12/05/golden-blonde-travis-egedy-on-nu-depth/