That’s it. Thanks for participating! Despite the heat, it was a pleasure to walk through Berlin to discover your posters! We are sorry for everyone whose poster has not been found. We tried to visit every location and to see every single poster but we also realised how big Berlin is. But please be sure that we appreciate everything.
We need to apologise for the somewhat misleading dates on the website. We simply forgot to communicate the changed dates. Du bist am Zug turned out to be a lot of work and at times it became a little overwhelming for our small team. You have to keep in mind that we were doing Du bist am Zug while still having to work our regular jobs and not everything always went as smoothly as we would have desired. We definitely learned a lot of new things every single day and we are really proud of all of you who made the city so much more interesting for at least a short amount of time.
In April-May 2022, the project Du bist am Zug (It’s Your Move) invited people to send pictures and texts they would like to present on billboards in Berlin.
We received exciting, interesting, colorful, and touching contributions, and would like to thank all the participants!
We are happy that in spite of Covid-19 and numerous unexpected problems, we were able to push Du bist am Zug over the finish line. 1500 City Light posters with the participants’ contribution will hang on billboards kindly provided by Wall GmbH throughout Berlin from July 26 until the end of August 2022. During this time, the city will speak with people’s voices, which was indeed our dream. We are very much looking forward to it!
We do not know the exact locations, however, and need your help with this Easter egg hunt 😉 If you spot a poster of Du bist am Zug in the city, please share it on social media with the location and the hashtag #dubistamzug. In this way, you will help the authors to find their pieces!
Du bist am Zug is a research project. Its goal is to discover what happens when people have the opportunity to shape the urban landscape with their own expressions. How feasible this idea is, whether more projects of this kind should be undertaken, what can be improved and what went well – if you want to share your thoughts on any of these topics, please write to us using our contact form. We are looking forward to any feedback, ideas, thoughts or suggestions – from participants as well as from non-participants 🙂
The contributions we have received are shown in the gallery, and we are happy to share the first results of our research:
People from different age groups – from 1 to over 70 – and from a wide range of ethnical backgrounds took part in Du bist am Zug. We have received contributions in 11 languages: English, German, Russian, French, Ukrainian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Georgian, Medieval Persian, Kurdish, and Hebrew.
The contributions touched upon a wide range of topics, which we now work to categorize.
One central motive was Berlin. We received pictures of different places in the city, texts about why people love Berlin, about all the things this city makes possible; texts saying that Berlin does not fit into any mold, that it connects people and makes everyone feel at home. Many participants told – with pictures and words – about love and friendship in Berlin. Others expressed wishes for Berlin – more understanding and tolerance, less cars and garbage.
Numerous contributions show the creativity of the participants – these are paintings, drawings, sculptures, collages, installations, digital works, sewn-on pictures, costumes, poems, as well as photos of the participants dancing, playing music and performing.
Many participants addressed political issues: some spoke out against animal exploitation, bullying, as well as discrimination against women, disabled, queer, and overweight people. Others expressed wishes for peace, climate and nature protection, social cohesion, low rents, bicycles instead of cars, more real instead of virtual life, and more legal walls for graffiti.
One noticeable group were refugees from Ukraine – their contributions tell about war and flight. Another group were people affected by ME/CSF disease. They expressed the need for recognition, treatment and more research.
Many participants sent pictures of nature and animals – there are fields, forests, mountains, deserts, oceans and lakes, sunsets and sunrises, a squirrel, a raccoon, a wasp, a grasshopper, medusas, many birds and trees.
Others shared photos of urban architecture and sculpture, often with special lighting or from a particularly interesting angle.
Many contributions allow a glimpse into one’s own personal world: some participants have sent photos of themselves, their families, friends, and pets. Others shared personal stories, as well as their children’s’ drawings or other creations.
Some participants sent messages to a specific person to express their love, support, gratitude, or remembrance, or just to send greetings. Remarkably, there were two marriage proposals.
Others wished to send messages to everyone. Advice ranges from “Be the change you wish to see in this world” to “Pickle cucumbers.” Among other things, one is advised to take time, be courageous, create magic in one’s life, have patience, fulfill small dreams, have solidarity, and tolerate the shades of gray.
Some contributions include quotes. These are of Mahatma Gandhi, Erich Kästner, Douglas Adams, Willy Brandt, Jean-Jacque Rousseau, Frank Goosen and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
We thank our partners!
