For Berghain, the popular techno club located in Berlin, unusual is usually normal. But, if 2020 has taught us anything, it is that normal no longer exists, even for the hot German night spot. It closed in March due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it is back open, bringing the usual lines and intrigue.
A new show called “Eleven songs — Hall at Berghain” premiered at the landmark club earlier this month. Artist duo Sam Auinger and Hannes Strobl designed the exhibit that transforms Berghain from techno heaven to acoustic haven.
The entire room is an instrument of sound, according to berghain.berlin.
“You listen, you experience, you can close your eyes or leave them open and follow the sound across the room,” co-curator Carsten Seiffarth said in a recent interview.
A short video by AFP shows a familiar sight — people lined up to enter the venue. But there’s no bouncer guarding the door, turning undesirables away. Everyone can come in and marvel at the hallowed halls of Berghain turned into art.
“Here, you can be with other people,” Seiffarth said. “It’s also about having an experience with this room and feeling emotions that go beyond just listening.”
Techno may not be booming inside the building. Still, Seiffath’s words sound a lot like the testimony others give when visiting Berghain for the first time. And that is completely normal