Idyllic Islands

“Idyllic Islands” is a collection of images of Baumscheiben [tree-pits] captured while walking through Berlin’s Neukölln, Kreuzberg, and Schöneberg districts between 2019 and 2023. The project is part of broader research on Berlin’s hybrid urban landscapes and serves as a preview of a forthcoming book to be published by Oreri – Iniziativa Editoriale . It was first exhibited during the symposium (re)searching urbanity at the Floating University Berlin, August 4–6, 2023. The photographs, printed in risograph by Oreri – Iniziativa Editoriale, are organized into three thematic sections: Islands, Boundaries, and Signs. These categories act as critical keys for interpreting the socio-ecological qualities that shape the design cultures of Berlin’s street gardens. The images are accompanied by excerpts from a conversation with Max Schützeberg (July 2021), urban gardener, activist, long-time designer of Baumscheiben , co-founder of the community street garden GartenLabor in Neukölln, and founder of the Feld Food Forest community.