#Berlinforschtmit
CLOWNING FOR NEW RESEARCH
What is a clown doing at Potsdamer Platz or in a shopping mall? Surprising. Captivating. Asking. “What questions do you have for new research?” The format “Clowning for new research” von #Berlinforschtmit – the TD-Lab employs classical theatre techniques of clowning and mime. Two improvisation artists play with the expected, the embarrassing and with mishaps. They transform difficulties into opportunities and create moments of fantasy and laughter. These creative encounters with Berliners in different locations in the city are being used to collect new perspectives, questions, and themes for new research.
#Berlinforschtmit thanks the extraordinary commitment and enthusiasm of Aldo Spahiu, Luise Grell and Meltem Teper.
ON-STIE – LONG NIGHT OF THE SCIENCES
The clowns had their premiere of #Berlinforschtmit at the long night of the sciences at the Technische Universität Berlin on 02. July 2022. The audience consisted mainly of students, members, or former members of the university with their families. They were happy to be invited to the thinker’s chair. While the grown-ups were busy formulating questions for new research, the little ones were amused with balloon figures. With exaggerations like “Good afternoon, I am Professor Doctor Doctor Professor Professor” or moments of surprise such as the hijacking of trolley suitcases, the improvisation artists broke the ice charmingly and took away any shyness. In hot summer temperatures 125 questions have been collected.
ON-SITE - LINDENCENTER NEU-HOHENSCHÖNHAUSEN
#Berlinforschtmit was in outer north-east Berlin in Neu-Hohenschönhausen, at the shopping centre Lindencenter, on the afternoon and evening of the 07. July 2022. Families with children and smaller groups of people were particularly attracted by small experiments and clowning. Exciting questions for new research besides many questions about the future and technology were submitted, which were developed directly out of everyday experiences of Berliners. 84 questions have been handed in.
ON-SITE BAUERNMARKT SPANDAU
The clowns played at the marketplace in Berlin Spandau, at the western edge of Berlin, on 21. July 2022. The audience consisted mainly of seniors because there was a medical centre and a pharmacy next to fruit and vegetable stalls of the market square. The improvisation artists experimented mainly with dance and short performances, rather than direct loud and surprising interactions. 53 questions have been collected, many concerning the topic of health.
ON-SITE – HOUSE OF STATISTICS
The house of statistics is a pilot project in the heart of Berlin. A civil society meeting space is being developed by organised civil society together with the public sector. It celebrated its Open Day on 27. July 2022 as part of the 2022 Cultural Summer Festival and #Berlinforschtmit participated with the clowns. The audience consisted mainly of young, motivated Berliners with clear aspirations and ideas. 108 questions and ideas have been collected.
ON-SITE – POTSDAMER PLATZ
The clowns of #Berlinforschtmit conquered the hearts of tourists at Potsdamer Platz in central Berlin on 31. July 2022. The aim was to catch the attention of pedestrians to get them to think about new questions for research. Using a hilarious mix of different languages, wordplay and their role as a professor, who has run out of questions, the improvisation artists shortened the time for strollers at Potsdamer Platz. 108 questions have been collected.
ON-SITE – BERLIN SCIENCE WEEK
The Museum für Naturkunde transformed into the campus of the Berlin Science Week and opened its doors for interested visitors, on 4. and 5. November. Guests were invited to visit the science stands and participate in their numerous activities, alongside the museum’s permanent exhibition. They ranged from a virtual-reality-game dealing with the consequences of climate change and potential solutions to a workshop on the creation of sustainable textiles. #Berlinforschtmit was also there and three improvisation artists enchanted the curious audience with their humour, skills and sensitivity in front of the impressive dinosaur skeleton, in the first hall of the Museum für Naturkunde. Young and old alike were thrilled by the clowns and submitted a total of 250 questions.
RADIO-INTERVIEW ABOUT CLOWNING
The clowning caught the attention of the polish science radio station Akademickie Radio Luz. Dr. Melanie Kryst, part of the #Berlinforschtmit-Team, gave an interview for the program Na Synapsach. She talked about the idea behind the clowning and the importance of Knowledge Exchange for the Berlin University Alliance. Here you can find the interview.
Gefördert vom Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung (BMBF) und dem Land Berlin im Rahmen der Exzellenzstrategie von Bund und Ländern
