Katharina
Trudzinski

Which place do you currently call home and where do you work on your projects?

I live in Neukölln, a district of Berlin.

Where is your studio located & how does it look?

My studio is located in the residential neighborhood of Alt-Treptow, on the ground floor of an office building with frosted glass windows facing the street. It’s part of a shared artist floor with six studios, all supported through a state-subsidized program. That’s a wonderful initiative—but unfortunately, the current government has drastically reduced funding for the Berlin studio program.

Inside my studio, I’ve got all the materials I need—mostly wooden panels and strips that I use to make my sculptures and wall art. There are various saws and sanders, plenty of brushes, and lots of paints. It’s a great spot—not far from the center of things but still quiet enough to feel tucked away.

Are there any projects that are personally important to you—whether recently completed or currently in progress?

My most recent project is the book „November Walk“, published by Distanz Verlag in November 2023. It shows a series of ephemeral sculptures in public spaces and is an invitation to walk through the urban landscape with me, the artist and to rethink it through the playful and poetic interventions. It comes with an essay by the art critic and writer Kristian Vistrup Madsen.

For this series of sculptures, I chose a thin, flexible MDF wood board that is commonly used as backing material for bookshelves: it allows for bending without breaking. I hand paint it with bright fluorescent colors, often with an added ombré effect. With the ready-made element in one hand and my camera in the other, I head out onto the city streets.

“There is a tonality, a mood, a colour scheme to wandering and looking and finding at random; to experimenting with a site, with trying to alter and capture it. It is about taking something, which is already there—the rubbish bins, notice boards and fences that dot the urban landscape – adding very little, but changing everything.“ (Kristian Vistrup Madsen)

Do you have a favorite place in your area where you like to relax and linger?

For a walk I like to go to the Landwehrkanal, Volkspark Hasenheide or to the Tempelhoferfeld, a former airfield that remains a great open space for cycling, skating, yoga and beautiful sunsets. 

When I really want to relax in nature, I love going out with my family to Brandenburg. The area has many wonderful forests and lakes.

Are there any urgent political issues or problems in your region?

Berliners struggle with rising rents and too little living space for the growing population. Moreover, and this concerns my city but also the whole world, we are doing too little to stop global warming.

In your opinion, what has developed well in the last 5 years—and what has not?

Many new cycle paths have been created here in recent years. I like the fact that urban planning has not only focused on cars, but also on pedestrians and cyclists. 

What has changed negatively are the rising rents, housing shortage, and the steadily increasing cost of living.

Do you know a hidden gem when it comes to local manufacturers—whether it’s arts and crafts, sustainable products or food?

I recommend the unique and beautiful fashion of Marie-Louise Vogt, a fashion designer who produces her crochet couture around the corner. All handmade. 

Is there anything particularly innovative in your region? Also in comparison to other places you have already visited?

Berlin is very international. And the art-scene is super big and diverse. Also clubs and music venues are very lively and world-famous. There is everything from underground to high-end.

Furthermore you can eat out very well. There are many good restaurants with many different cuisines and, compared to other metropolises, the food is still relatively inexpensive.

Do you have a secret restaurant tip that you would like to share with us?

There is a phenomenon of pop-up restaurants here. Small chefs who offer a special range of dishes. For example, a lunchtime pop-up at a cinema or in the club before the parties start. I’m thinking of Khao Soi Berlin and Machikos Kitchen.

What are your 3 favourite apps that you use every day and couldn’t live without?

I try to use my phone as little as possible since I’m not a very digital person. I mainly use it to call or message people. The three apps I use most often are Ecosia for research, Signal for communication, and Maps for getting around.

Do you have any favourite newspapers or online magazines? And how do you keep up to date with politics or social and cultural issues?

I read online news:
– Tagesschau
– taz
– Tagesspiegel

Imagine you could be mayor for a year—what would you change?

I would work together with all stakeholders and do everything in my power to make Berlin a climate-neutral metropolis.

One last question: If you could choose another place to live—regardless of financial or time constrains—which one would you choose?

I would love to live in Brittany, France, in a house on the cliffs with large windows overlooking the sea.