Tacheles

We pass the spot where one of the city gates of Berlin used to stand. This example has been demolished, traded with another city for building materials. Tacheles Almost on the corner stands a dilapidated building, impressive due to its various shades of decay. When you see it like this, you think: that's ripe for demolition. The opposite is true because Tacheles is now under monument protection; it will be renovated. The buildings were squatted in 1990, named Tacheles - which means 'the hard truth' in Yiddish - and with varying occupancy, it has become what it is today: a hodgepodge of cultural expressions: there is a gallery housed within, often featuring exhibitions of sculptures that can be described as industrial, gothic fits too. Of course, techno can be heard in the gallery; say Berlin, and techno sounds. There is a curious café, Zapata, a theater, concerts are held, and there are various studio spaces. Although this artistic free space and meeting place is on speculative land, Tacheles is assured of its existence for at least the next 10 years.

Toineke