Ceven’s Blog

I’m about to unveil a new serial project and in doing so, I would also like to write a bit about my personal experiences in coming to Berlin, settling in, and integrating into society. Friends abroad ask me many of the same questions:

“How is life in Berlin?”

“Do you speak German now?”

“What do you do over there?”

“What are the Germans like?” among many others. It sounds like a perfectly good reason to update my blog!

I’ve been long interested in working on projects that showcases this city. I assume it will be a part of the background in much of what I produce, but to have one project specifically for the purpose of showing why I think Berlin is great is a very nice reality. I guess the first question that needs to be answered is, “Why Berlin?”

Aside from a rich history, an amazing day-to-day culture, wonderful and weird people all around, Berlin simply has charm. It’s not beautiful, the local dialect sounds like clucking chickens, it’s an epicentre of irresponsible behaviour, and almost completely broke. People may come here and try to gentrify neighbourhoods, but it will always be cheaply done and after a few generations of cheap renovations, the city will look like what it always has. This will never be Paris or Rome or Prague or any other gorgeous major city in the EU. You go outside and the streets are loaded with punks, artists, techno-hippies, gays, working class, immigrant families, and  brilliantly tanning-bed orange young boys and girls with overly arched eyebrows smelling of Axe. But we also have lots of trees, canals, parks, biergartens, clubs, restaurants of every flavour, incredible museums, world renowned Philharmonic Orchestra, music for everyone, parties galore, sex tourism for every orientation, and a very impressive public transportation system. All of it melted is into one culture easily accessible in a place full of creative energy. This is why I am home. It was this way a hundred years ago as much as it is today. No matter how they try, the city is resistant to over-gentrification. Anyone who says differently lacks faith.

My personal experience has been profound. I came at a time when I most needed a change. I’d spent several years in a creative rut and didn’t produce much of anything for a long time. After a year and a half living in Berlin and making it work, I had a creative explosion. Suddenly I began writing music and making videos again, and this time with much more honesty. It hasn’t stopped, but actually intensified! As a result, I’m transitioning from making massive quantities to exploring better qualities of work. Perhaps it could have happened elsewhere, but I’m glad it didn’t. Actually, I take that back – it would not be the same. The city is my muse. With every project I feel more hardwired to it.

I like America; my time there was quite fortunate. I made many long-term friends and have irreplaceable memories and experiences. That said; Berlin is my home. I’m very happy to be in a position where I can use different forms of media to share it with everyone.

I suppose by now you may be wondering what project I’m going on about. The project is called, “Coming to See Berlin”. It is a self-made travel guide about my city from the perspectives of the people who live here. I want it to be an honest depiction of my city in its most natural form. Maybe it inspires you to come and see us. I hope so!

http://comingtosee.com