Spielkameraden 1: the square

Some of my initial sketches exploring the idea of using Christmas trees as a public artwork

Some of my initial sketches exploring the idea of using Christmas trees as a public artwork

My later sketches based on a concept to create a square enclosure of trees in a public space

My later sketches based on a concept to create a square enclosure of trees in a public space

in the second week of January, we collected about 40 used trees from the streets near our site

in the second week of January, we collected about 40 used trees from the streets near our site

We also salvaged timber blocks, pallets and car tyres

We also salvaged timber blocks, pallets and car tyres

We stripped the pallets to use the timber for support frames

We stripped the pallets to use the timber for support frames

The square was marked out, using the heavier timbers to form the stable corners of the structure

The square was marked out, using the heavier timbers to form the stable corners of the structure

The timber from the pallets was used to brace the corner trees

The timber from the pallets was used to brace the corner trees

Leen and Joe getting into the tea and cake

Leen and Joe getting into the tea and cake

The remaining trees were restrained by wire strung between the corner trees at shoulder height

The remaining trees were restrained by wire strung between the corner trees at shoulder height

The finished installation, with its entrance facing out into the open space

The finished installation, with its entrance facing out into the open space

When we came back a few days after construction, someone had put a bauble on one of the trees

When we came back a few days after construction, someone had put a bauble on one of the trees

The space from within the enclosure, of a scale aimed at inviting people to gather

The space from within the enclosure, of a scale aimed at inviting people to gather

The view from the top floor of the Kindl Gallery. Although a wasteland, the open space functions as a thoroughfare, meeting place, play area (note the stepping stones on the far right) and community garden

The view from the top floor of the Kindl Gallery. Although a wasteland, the open space functions as a thoroughfare, meeting place, play area (note the stepping stones on the far right) and community garden

 
 

challenging public space

'The Square' is Spielkameraden's first project, built in January 2018 on the expansive wasteland next to the Kindl Centre for Contemporary Art in Berlin.

We created a square enclosure of used Christmas trees, with an opening facing out into the space to encourage people to enter it. 

No instructions were provided, so that people would question the purpose of the space or even if they were allowed to enter it. More importantly, we hoped they would therefore consider the potential use and ownership of the wider public space in an area undergoing significant developmental change, as well as providing a moment of fun and sociability. 

The intervention is also a reminder of the annual waste of Christmas trees. People discard their trees on the pavement, only for them to return in a final gesture before fading to brown and eventually being removed.