“Step across the Border” (Edition Berlin-Arnhem)

This is an educational exchange initiative between  Rijn IJssel school (Arnhem) and Unter Druck Kultur von der Strasse e.V. (Berlin), which reflects upon the ongoing transnational  teacher exchange project of the same name "Step Across the Border" (S.A.T.B.): "an international  grassroots initiative, since 2017, aimed at  using and developing basic creative education techniques with socially marginalised people." (stepacrosstheborder.eu). This Arnhem-Berlin initiative is coordinated by  Marciana Timmermans, teacher  at Rijn IJssel Creative Industry and the  aim is to encourage  the  Arnhem  students to  reflect on S.A.T.B. themes  (link) 

The Rijn IJssel project seeks to generate more understanding for people who live in difficult situations. The students will develop a personal opinion about this and  explore possibilities about how they could contribute with their creative and personal skills in terms of generating more publicity for these problems and generate solutions.

Participants: 42 students: Art&Design(13), Spatial Design (10), Interior Design (19) and 5 teachers, together with staff from the  Berlin homeless peoples initiative Unter Druck Kultur von der Strasse e.V. and its  creative atelier space ,Czentrifuga.  The  respective  periods for  activities are 5th - 19th of May 2018 in Berlin and 2nd - 10th of June 2018 in Arnhem. In both instances, activities will be spread amongst different locations.

Period 1: Plan for S.A.T.B. Activities in May 2018 in Berlin

Monday 7 May 20:00: Discussion at Aquarium In September 2017, the EU supported Step Across the Border project, hosted its “kick off” event in at the aquarium on Kottbusser Tor, Kreuzberg. Now we return to this sympathetic location with a follow up event instigated by the Rijn IJssel school SATB initiative.This relatively new space, specialises in political and socio-cultural events including  discussions, lectures and film screenings and  self help activities run by local residents, such a the social councelling group “Hartzer Roller”. Aquarium is a partner project of the long established Südblock which is a cafe and events space located next door and (also) a safe space for use bv various socially marginalised groups to make their own meetings and activities . Instigating the discussion will be guests, the Syrian born Waael Fares and also Verena Antensterne (Austria) who will join a discussion panel and share their respective experiences of refugee life and living rough on the streets.

10 and 11 May 10:00 - 20:00: Workshop for Design & Construction of  Compact Shelters for the Homeless at B.L.O. Ateliers B.L.O. Ateliers is situated in the former railway depot Berlin-Lichtenberg-Ost, Berlin and is homebase for over 100 artists, artisans and handworkers who make up Lockunst e.V. , an  association that  produces regular cultural activities and open workshops, including  this new international cooperation  together with Rijn IJssel and Unter Druck - Kultur von der Strasse e.V. 

Here, 8 groups of  students will design and create small shelters for possible future use by homeless people, using recycled and found materials. Activities will be organised over two days  in co-op with visitors from the Unter Druck homeless peoples meeting point. Food will be provided by the UK /Berlin waste food recycling project Real Junk Food Project.

Period 2: Plan for S.A.T.B. Activities June 2018 in Arnhem

Unter Druck & Czentrifuga staff will visit Arnhem in June (Saturday the 2 of June until Sunday the 10 of June) 2018 to make print and design workshops, exhibition and performance together with Rijn IJssel school students and staff, and interested artists/citizens in Arnhem.

- Exhibition about CZ and Unter Druck in the first weekend and the first days of the week (Sunday 3 June 15.00 hrs, vernissage with drinks, music and performance). And art work Rijn IJssel students made during their stay in Berlin.

- During the week: workshops with CZ, students Rijn IJssel, interested residents of Arnhem and artists/musicians at  a large warehouse space in the centre of Arnhem.

- Last weekend: exhibition and performances which are the result of the workshops and
other cooperations. (Saturday 9 June 15.00 hrs, finissage with drinks, music and
performance).

Rijn IJssel Participants

Students from Art&Design, Spatial Design, Interior Design, Human Technology, Musician, Make up, Hair Design,

Performing Arts, Event Marketing and Graphic Design faculties together with  Rijn IJssel teaching staff.

Unter Druck/Czentrifuga Participants

Stine Lawine, Yt Winterthaler, David Braithwaite, Werner Kernebeck and Marko Krojac

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