Unveiling the East German Mind...

Research Question:

As Germany concludes its second decade of reunification, to what extent do East Germans feel integrated in Berlin? The outward variances in East and West lifestyles are tough to decipher, but what are the mental boundaries that hinder complete integration?

Research Methods:

The investigation to answer this question will consist of interviews, a case study, and comparative observation of former east and west Berlin. A camcorder will be used for data collection and analysis. Because this inquiry will not have a visible or concrete answer, the data from my research will not answer the questions directly. However, the collected information should infer a general mental state that the East Germans currently experience.

First I will begin by visiting the DDR (German Democratic Republic) Museum. There I will interview the visitors to discover their purpose for attendance, whether it be tourist interest or nostalgia. Also, this will be an opportunity for me to be more exposed to the daily life of East German citizens. Then I plan to visit the former Stasi prison, now called the Berlin-Hohenschonhausen Memorial. There I will interview tour guides who are former inmates. I hope to unravel the political aspects of East Germany, as well as the darker side of East German life. More interviews and observations will be conducted at Hotel Ostel where I will be booked for a night. This summer I will attempt to get in contact with the owner of Hotel Ostel or the DDR Museum to form a case study around their business. Such a case study will focus on the intentions of the owner in recreating the East German household. I assume that their intentions will either be so that the East German life is not forgotten, or because of the market potential in showcasing communist life to tourists. The former reason indicates East Germans have yet to feel completely comfortable in the Capitalist society. Finally I will visit the far eastern areas of Berlin that still hold traces of the existence before the fall of the Wall. These observations will be used to compare the east and west lifestyles firsthand. The trip will also disclose how romanticized or exaggerated some of the interviewees’ reactions were.

Interviews will be held throughout my stay in Berlin and the questions will attempt to reveal whether East Germans actually believe they are able to practice true freedom in a capitalist society. Furthermore, the pros and cons of both Communist and Capitalist lifestyles will be questioned. The interviews, however, are limited to how willing the people are to speak openly about their thoughts.

Cultural Sensitivity:

During the interviews I will have release forms for people to sign before I film them. Also, it is very important that I do not ask for personal, identifiable information. Some people may be sensitive to the issue of living in the past Soviet Union and the boundaries of comfort must not be passed. The interview with the former Stasi inmates may reveal private information. If anyone is uncomfortable with their face being filmed, I can always resort to the pencil and paper.

Research Schedule:

Week 1— Visit DDR Museum and Berlin-Hohenshonhausen Memorial
Week 2— Stay a night at Hotel Ostel, Interview owner of DDR Museum or Hotel Ostel
Week 3—Travel to eastern side of Berlin with Michael
Week 4— Analyze data, edit videos, composition

DDR Museum
Contact: Peter Kenzelmann
Address: Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse 1, direct an der Spree, gegenuber dem Berliner Dom,
10178 Berlin
Berlin-Hohenshonhausen Memorial
Address: Genslerstr. 66, 13055 Berlin
Hotel Ostel (9 euro/nacht)
Address: Wriezener Karree 5 – 10243 Berlin

Bibliography:

Bernstein, Richard. "Peek Into This East German Museum, and It Peeks Back." New York Times. 20 July 2006. Berlin Journal. 16 May 2008 .

Hunt, Jennifer, comp. Is the Transition in East Germany a Success? 20 Apr. 2006. McGill University and NBER. 30 May 2008 .

Hunt, Jennifer, comp. Post-Unification Wage Growth in East Germany. Vers. Working Paper Number 304. Nov. 1998. Yale University and NBER. 30 May 2008 .

Ladd, Brian. The Ghosts of Berlin: Confronting German History in the Urban Landscape. Chicago: University of Chicago P, 1998.

Von Hallberg, Robert. Literary Intellectuals and the Dissolution of the State. Chicago: University of Chicago P, 1996.

Research Group Composition

The compositions this time around seem to have evolved since the previous creations. Each group had more of a purpose and the compostitions were mroe thoughtful. Instead of centering the plans around meeting the requirements, the focus was more on presenting the research topic and related themes to the audience. The actors were more aware of the shapes they were forming (such as the visual from the arts group).
During the last composition, two groups ended up singing the birthday song because of the requirement of music. However, no two groups were alike in the recent presentation since the requirements was no longer the purpose. The discussion following the compositions was also a lot more interesting because each group had a message it wished to convey in the performance.

Research

Perusing through the internet for articles on East German identity, I found a lot of varying viewpoints. First of all, it was obvious that recreating East German life is a growing craze. The theme of "ostalgie" (east nostalgia) is making its mark on clothes, food, cars, TV programs and even a hotel! The East German viewpoint is to revive the life that they have lived for 20 years of their lives, not the government. However, many West Germans percieve the East Germans as not being ignorant to the "bad"-ness of their past.

I would like to research the different East German businesses (Trabant, Ostel Hotel...) that are coming out and find the motivation behind the owners to become entrepreneurs. After the westernization of East German society, some East Germans claim that the new way of life is not actually freedom. To what extent are the East Germans discriminated? Through research I have found that East Germans are marginalized politically, economically (jobs), and socially. (See http://mondediplo.com/1997/02/09germany) Is the discrimination a cause of bringing back the "old life," fondness of the past, or pure memories of the East German lifestyle that they are accustomed to?

My research topic needs a lot of refining, but that is the general idea.

FAIR PLAY

I was quite impressed with the many composition techiniques that were used in the play. First of all, the lighting in the very beginning of the production was skillfully manipulated to appear as a photo frame. Also, I loved the conversation the actors of different settings created with little bits of completely distinct dialogue. My favorite unusual use of objects was when the set above the audience's head becomes a plane that is landing.

From the beginnging it was obvious that a "loop" would be an overriding theme in this play. It is first mentioned when a housewife is fighting with her husband. However, the loop expands to become a much bigger deal than first believed. It definitely threw me off. The concept of a "loop" was still lingering in my mind after the show was over. Very unique compositions were developed in this play and it was definitely such creativity that kept the audience engaged. Lastly, when I was confused about the play and wondering what each character was experiencing, it was the solid acting of actors who were fully devoted to their characters that solved some of my confusion. (if this makes sense)

Brainstorming Berlin

I am still unsure of which research focus I'd like to take, however, here are some ideas...

1.) NATIONAL IDENTITY
- How are Berliners attempting to create a national identity? (Soccer, Medical Research & Technology...)
- What kinds of tensions are preventing a national identity? (East & West, Germans & Jews, immigrants etc.)

2.) YOUTH PERCEPTION
- How do the youth feel about Germany's history?
- Does history play any role in their daily lives?
- What kinds of changes do they want to see in Germany?

3.) NEO-NAZI
- Although this subject was described as creepy and depressing in class, I am very interested in this party. What exactly do they want? How are they perceived by Germans? How can they sit as government leaders? What kinds of plans are they making? etc. etc.

Rethinking Thinking

"TO CHARACTERIZE PEOPLE BY THE DIFFERENT THINGS THEY MAKE IS TO MISS THE UNIVERSALITY OF HOW THEY CREATE (p11)."

I have always wondered how the great mathematicians came up with their mind-blowing formulas or how engineers developed the innovative technology that we have. However, I was never awed by how artists came up with an idea for their paintings. I was not intrigued by the thought process of artists, because I knew that they created artwork based on feelings, emotions, and instinct. After reading this excerpt, however, I realize that scientists are the same way. Despite their mathematic brilliance, they are also driven by the same feelings and intuition. The common discourse of science is that no emotions are involved, only logic.
This perspective that math, art, words, etc are only a medium to communicate thoughts and internal feelings is an uncommon one. Yet it definitely makes geniuses like Einstein appear a lot more human.

A Midsummer Night's Dream

A ballet interpretation of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was the perfect performance to observe how a story can be told without words. The dancers were forced to use facial expressions, body language, and of course the music to tell the tale of three couples.
The scenes with the two couples (Hermia & Lysander and Helena & Demetrius) were very well crafted in the dance to show that they were either in love, or not in love. When Hermia cries, the dancer covers her face and throws her body forward to represent mourning.
Even comic relief was portrayed through dance by the character, Puck. His hilarious expressions and awkward body movements immediately revealed to the audience Puck's goofy spirit.
I thought it was very interesting when the set brought out a huge spider web and spider. This occured during the scene of chaos when Puck accidentally confuses the love spell. The spider web was purposely staged because it alludes to the bad. Since the story takes place in the forest, it was a reasonable and clever idea to set the mood with a gigantic spider.
Overall, I really enjoyed the ballet. I loved how the PNB was able to tell Shakespeare's story without taking away the focus on dancing. The many solos and duets showcased very, very envious ballet skills. (Did you notice their huge, muscular calves?? :D)