Big Ideas Forum Hotspots: Culture, Climate and Architecture in Berlin and Melbourne

Berlin and Melbourne are regarded as the cultural capitals of their countries. Why is this, and do both cities follow similar urban strategies?

RMIT Gallery in conjunction with the Goethe-Institut Australien and ABC Radio National invite you to a public forum with leading local and German architects.

Event details

Further information

Peter Mares, presenter of The National Interest, will host this forum examining why Berlin and Melbourne are regarded as the cultural capitals of their countries. What is paving the way, what is the urban grounding for such cultural variety? Do Berlin and Melbourne follow similar urban strategies?

With Jürgen Mayer H., Visiting Professor at Columbia University, New York, and Director of Jürgen Mayer H., Berlin; Claudia Perren, Architect, Curator, and Lecturer for Design, Architectural Theory and History, Sydney and Berlin; Shelley Penn, Director of Shelley Penn Architects; John Wardle, Director of John Wardle Architects, Melbourne; Richard Blythe, Professor of Architecture, Head of School, Architecture + Design at RMIT University, and Director of Terroir.

The panel will debate what roles do architecture, climate, infrastructure and finance play? Is there a direct relationship between architecture and cultural development? And can architecture be considered as a base as well as a source of inspiration? Can a city, a suburb or a single building be a pioneer for cultural formation?

Jürgen Mayer H’s new book A.WAY, for instance, explores these concepts. A.WAY is described by Mayer H as “a fairytale exploring the potential of digital technologies in the context of the future of mobility. It takes the reader on a journey to discover the creation of Pokeville, a model of future cities in which cars turn from viewing machines for manoeuvring through traffic to sensorial experience machines.”

“In Pokeville, the car becomes a catalyst for social interaction and a personalized perception of the city. It invites you to wander A .WAY,” he said.

This public program event is presented in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut Australien and the initiative “Future Proofing Property” as part of Berlin Dayz, the German-Australian Arts Festival, and the European design exhibition Somewhat Different: Contemporary Design and the Power of Convention, RMIT Gallery 1 October – 13 November. Developed by the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (IfA).

To be broadcast on ABC Radio National ‘Big Ideas’ –broadcast date will be announced on ABC website.