Märchenbrunnen (Fairy Tale Fountain) - In A Berlin Minute (Week 160)

Märchenbrunnen (Fairy Tale Fountain) - In A Berlin Minute (Week 160) from Luci Westphal on Vimeo.

The Märchenbrunnen (Fairy Tale Fountain) in Volkspark Friedrichshain was opened in 1913 and is the largest fountain of the Kaiser era. It was conceived by Ludwig Hoffmann. The fountain is surrounded by sculptures of characters from the Grimm Brothers' Fairy Tales, various animals and several children created by the artists Ignatius Taschner, Georg Wrba und Josef Rauch.

Did you recognize all the characters? There are Hansel and Gretel, Puss in Boots, Hans in Luck, Seven Ravens, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Brother and Sister, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty.

While it was a beautiful how the light changed while I was filming, and the golden hour was quite magical, it became a bit of an issue in editing and trying to match the color. I thought about turning it black and white, but the sky was just too blue to turn it grey.

The music is a sped-up version of "In A Tree" by Jason Matherne.

Sleeping Beauty

The xx - Night + Day - Berlin (Photos and Videos)

For months I'd been waiting for the musical event of this spring in Berlin: The xx were playing a special show called Night + Day together with several other bands and DJs in the abandoned amusement park Spreepark. Two similar shows were planned for Lisbon and London.

The location, which I have yet to feature in an In A Berlin Minute video, excited me as much as the prospect of seeing and hearing The xx and some of the other bands, like the Chromatics.

Unfortunately, it was rather cool and grey (sandwiched between two gorgeous early summer days) - and fortunately, I had such a great time with friends + friends of friends and getting a bit distracted by Cilian Murphy, that I didn't feel inspired or find time to film or take any pictures of the location or other bands.

But here are a few (slightly blurry) pictures of The xx and also two short video excerpts. Usually I don't publish anything so shaky - and usually I don't stand that far away from the stage (the zoom makes shakiness worse). But these two moments were so personal and special that I wanted to share them.

They were as magical and moving as expected. Wow!

Excerpt from "Shelter" 



Excerpt from "Angels"

Überlin Berlin Portrait Photo Shoot

James watching Zoë take a picture

Last week James Glazebrook and Zoë Noble of the fabulous Berlin blog überlin published a new article in their Berlin Portrait series, for which they asked me a few questions about the Berlin neighborhood I'm currently staying it (Prenzlauer Berg).

I felt very honored that they asked me to be part of this series, in which they have different (creative expat) people introduce their "Kiez" (Berlinish for neighborhood - or Hamburgish for red light district).

The real bonus of participating in this series was spending a lovely day with Zoë and James and having my picture taken by such a talented photographer as Zoë. I usually don't like having my picture taken, especially over and over again and then in public!

But since I had already admired her other photos on the blog and from fashion shoots, I knew she was really good and that I was in safe hands. Even more important for the time of the shoot was that she made me feel so comfortable and even relaxed. Of course, James also did his part through engaging conversations and distracting me from the clicking camera.

So, if you're in Berlin (or really anywhere in Europe) and you need to hire a portrait, still life or fashion photographer, get in touch with Zoë Noble via zoenoble.com!

Zoë Noble taking a photograph at Hemlholzplatz, Berlin

If you'd like to see the pictures and read the article, please check out "Berlin Portrait: Luci Westphal".

And if you've checked out the pictures on überlin and wondered where I found the awesome Coney Island T-shirt... I got that and more right on the Coney Island boardwalk from Lola Star. Man, I miss the old Brooklyn beach scene...

Photos from Volkspark Friedrichshain

Photos from the shoot of the 1-minute video "Volkspark Friedrichshain (People’s Park) – In A Berlin Minute (Week 159)".

Watch the video HERE.

Statue in the Scent Garden
Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin

Park lawn and majestic chestnut tree
Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin

Chestnut tree blooms
Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin

Skaters at the Memorial to Polish Soldiers and German Anti-Fascists
Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin

BMX
Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin

Restaurant roof cows
Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin

Monument to the Spanish Civil War
Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin

Boy and fish statue - at the entrance to Märchenbrunnen (Fountain of Fairy Tales)
Volkspark Friedrichshain, Berlin

Photos from the shoot of the 1-minute video "Volkspark Friedrichshain (People’s Park) – In A Berlin Minute (Week 159)".

Watch the video HERE.

Mikal Cronin - "Change" (MusicMonday)

Just discovered a new favorite song: "Change" by American singer-songwriter Mikal Cronin. Great melody, moving lyrics and a cool video to boot.

The mixture of total realism and a surreal twist reminds me of Jonathan Lethem's novels and short stories. Can't go wrong with that.

Mikal Cronin in "Change"