Project
Mülheim, Germany 2009
Eichbaumoper characterises the temporary transformation of the metro station Eichbaum into an opera house. ‚Eichbaum’ is a crosspoint and station located between the cities of Essen and Mülheim. Located in the eye of the highway intersection between the motorway A40 and the B1, this station was built using a lot of concrete in the 70’s as a fit for the future infrastructure project. Once considered as a place of aspiration and hope, the ‚Eichbaum’ is now shaped by vandalism, fear and foreboding. However, ‚Eichbaum’ is an important connection in an urban landscape that is dissected by highways and metro lines. At the same time, the site can be viewed as a model for the current situation of this former industrial region, facing urban and social challenges.
Liverpool, United Kingdom 2009
Raumlabor approached this project with the questions: is reinventing the history of a place a good idea, when the current accepted history isn't helping the present situation? Finding, as in our case, no suitable point of departure/entry for a solution to apparent urbanistic problems, is it possible through the interweaving of truth, urban legend and invention to inspire regional pride in the inhabitants of a desolated residential area? And when this (hi)story is presented in a positive light, could it get the ball rolling? Is it possible by reinventing a history to create a new perspective for a site which has undergone a century of urban catastrophes?
