It's so hard to capture the spirit of a decade when it’s not over. Even a few years later, the lack of distance from the facts hinders an objective perception. Five years ago, while I was organizing a 90’s party, my friends arrived with all sorts of unexpected outfits just because they had tried to reproduce their own 90’s (sometimes even with their boring vintage clothing!) and not the specific atmosphere of those years. The 2010’s were such a mystery to me until that sleepless night when I decided to attend the party "Homopatik" at "about: blank".
My friends still answer the phone at 6:15 in the morning and are waiting for me in the garden. I take the first taxi and believe I can be there in fifteen minutes. Horror, Ostkreuz is actually very far from Ostbahnof; my budget of 70 euros is already well underway and I am not yet in the club. I am happy to be sober to face the South American goalie; she let me in and immediately the magic begins.
This are the results of my observation in the coolest place of Berlin, every third Friday of the month.
What to hear in the 10’s:
I could define it as electro-blues with a hint of tribal disco. Forget the worshipping of the DJ, we love only our friends and now the DJ has a secondary role ... but he is professional!
What to drink in the 10’s:
There is only one drink: Vodka-Mate. I have not tried to fight against the current, I knew I was catapulted into the 10's, so I had to bear the consequences, I would drink my first vodka-Mate at "about: blank"! Of course all bottles are returnable but there is some more routine to respect. Half a liter of native American caffeinated drink arrives on the desk and if like me, you look frustrated at the sealed bottle, the eager bartender will tell you: "So, drink a sip!" In Germany, you have to obey from time to time (not always!). I drink two sips and the bartender takes my bottle and fills it with vodka up to the brim. I screw back the cap and mix the cocktail. The breakfast can start!
What to wear in the 10’s:
I knew it, American Apparel had run its course and Weekdays took over. Still some slim jeans but leggings with improbable colors were a must. "But are your pants green? - No, can’t you see it’s yellow! "The key is that the top is "oversized" and that the bottom ... is not! This is the basis of the outfit, accessories are (must be) personal creations. This refers to the sublimation of the curtains of your grandmother (as a scarf, an apron or even a skirt), the recycling of used straws from the club to organize a tiara or the reinterpretation of a fake pearls necklace to be laid carelessly over your shoulder. Next comes the makeup, and please for men, never symmetrical! The eyes are the most important, but the eye area extends up to the ear, with lots of bright colors and glitter. Although most of the people stand in bright light and the rain, it has to be seen in the darkness of the club. If you have already seen video clips of "Empire of the Sun" it is exactly the same thing, but trashier!
What to do in the 10’s:
You are a "Nerd" but do not know about it. You look for your friends in the club with "WhatsApp" and everyone think it's very normal. Everybody search for a cigarette everywhere but nobody buys a pack because it costs too much. You party with your friends and stay awake with all the letters of the alphabet, except C (too 2000’s and it costs too much!). You do not know yet but you belong to a generation who will speak out new message soon.
Good luck kids, in fact 2012 has much in common with 1993 but I won’t tell you the end and yes you can still surprise me!
Three hours later the photographer who enjoys capturing the innocence of young girls on film replies "Sure, I know Richard Kern, I am over thirty!" And then I ask him his opinion on naïve perversion and he tells me he never sleeps with his models!
At that moment I experience a "Writing flash” and I must leave everybody to tell you everything.
The girls wear sunglasses in the rain, the boys finish their beers while waiting for the regional train and a beautiful day of the 10’s years begins. I love my city and finally the rain stops!
My friends still answer the phone at 6:15 in the morning and are waiting for me in the garden. I take the first taxi and believe I can be there in fifteen minutes. Horror, Ostkreuz is actually very far from Ostbahnof; my budget of 70 euros is already well underway and I am not yet in the club. I am happy to be sober to face the South American goalie; she let me in and immediately the magic begins.
This are the results of my observation in the coolest place of Berlin, every third Friday of the month.
What to hear in the 10’s:
I could define it as electro-blues with a hint of tribal disco. Forget the worshipping of the DJ, we love only our friends and now the DJ has a secondary role ... but he is professional!
What to drink in the 10’s:
There is only one drink: Vodka-Mate. I have not tried to fight against the current, I knew I was catapulted into the 10's, so I had to bear the consequences, I would drink my first vodka-Mate at "about: blank"! Of course all bottles are returnable but there is some more routine to respect. Half a liter of native American caffeinated drink arrives on the desk and if like me, you look frustrated at the sealed bottle, the eager bartender will tell you: "So, drink a sip!" In Germany, you have to obey from time to time (not always!). I drink two sips and the bartender takes my bottle and fills it with vodka up to the brim. I screw back the cap and mix the cocktail. The breakfast can start!
What to wear in the 10’s:
I knew it, American Apparel had run its course and Weekdays took over. Still some slim jeans but leggings with improbable colors were a must. "But are your pants green? - No, can’t you see it’s yellow! "The key is that the top is "oversized" and that the bottom ... is not! This is the basis of the outfit, accessories are (must be) personal creations. This refers to the sublimation of the curtains of your grandmother (as a scarf, an apron or even a skirt), the recycling of used straws from the club to organize a tiara or the reinterpretation of a fake pearls necklace to be laid carelessly over your shoulder. Next comes the makeup, and please for men, never symmetrical! The eyes are the most important, but the eye area extends up to the ear, with lots of bright colors and glitter. Although most of the people stand in bright light and the rain, it has to be seen in the darkness of the club. If you have already seen video clips of "Empire of the Sun" it is exactly the same thing, but trashier!
What to do in the 10’s:
You are a "Nerd" but do not know about it. You look for your friends in the club with "WhatsApp" and everyone think it's very normal. Everybody search for a cigarette everywhere but nobody buys a pack because it costs too much. You party with your friends and stay awake with all the letters of the alphabet, except C (too 2000’s and it costs too much!). You do not know yet but you belong to a generation who will speak out new message soon.
Good luck kids, in fact 2012 has much in common with 1993 but I won’t tell you the end and yes you can still surprise me!
Three hours later the photographer who enjoys capturing the innocence of young girls on film replies "Sure, I know Richard Kern, I am over thirty!" And then I ask him his opinion on naïve perversion and he tells me he never sleeps with his models!
At that moment I experience a "Writing flash” and I must leave everybody to tell you everything.
The girls wear sunglasses in the rain, the boys finish their beers while waiting for the regional train and a beautiful day of the 10’s years begins. I love my city and finally the rain stops!
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