From the architectural landmarks defining Potsdamer Platz's cityscape to the vibrant aesthetic of a hidden bike park, Langer shared background info, historical context, and modern perspectives during this Sunday morning walk. City dwellers connect deeper with their city as they get to know it; thus, Langer sharing his expertise brought us one step closer to the essence of Berlin.
Moreover, Langer's tours are more than just a walk or an exchange of information. His unique way of photographing Berlin through his distinct lens has touched the lives of countless people (and aspiring photographers). During this 2.5-hour walk, Langer shared techniques and tips on photographing the area’s architecture, whether using a professional camera or a mobile phone. Participants who initially thought "maybe it's just a city walk," alongside attendees who had never tried photography before, found themselves framing Potsdamer Platz's unique buildings while chatting along the way.
As the walk progressed, we had a small surprise in store: a sculpture walk in the iconic garden of the Neue Nationalgalerie. As one of Berlin’s most legendary spaces for modern art, the gallery provided the perfect backdrop to experience Fujiko Nakaya’s fog sculpture in the sculpture garden on that day. The work interacts with Mies van der Rohe’s iconic architecture in a very special, poetic way.
Following this captivating artistic moment at the Neue Nationalgalerie, it was time for another valuable discipline close to our hearts at The Columbist: gastronomy. Having spent the last 2.5 hours photographing, walking, and discovering art together, our community had already opened the door to new friendships. Now, it was time to move beyond standing conversations and turn these connections into intimate chats around a long lunch table. Great bonds, of course, always require great flavors. At this point, Chef Tim Lentl hosted The Columbist at QIU Bar, located within Potsdamer Platz’s unique The Mandala Hotel, with wonderful hospitality and a tailored menu. The guests were welcomed with some specialgifts, too: Teas from Eduard/ and olive oils from Signor Oil – both being boutique brands, perfectly complementing the zeitgeist’s shift into a state where luxury ingredients are the new cultural capital.
Featuring North Sea Shrimp from Büsum, Prignitz Corn-Fed Chicken Breast, and the chef’s signature Panna Cotta, QIU’s local ingredient-focused, creative approach led us to new chapters of flavor, deepening our connections through these delicious dishes.
While planning this tour and sharing it with you, we always set out with one motto in mind: It’s not a tour. It’s not a lunch. It’s a feeling. From the urban history and photography techniques we discovered with Langer, to our art visit at the Neue Nationalgalerie, and the wonderful world of gastronomy we stepped into at QIU; everything together led us right to that feeling we were looking for. Voices from different backgrounds came together through their choice to be "constantly curious" with The Columbist, leaving us with a cherished memory of sharing our "curio-cities" about Berlin and building tight bonds along the way. What’s next? Another Curio-City, another feeling, the same curiosity.
Special thanks to Konrad Langer, Neue Nationalgalerie, QIU Bar, and The Mandala Hotel.
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