Köpi Brache, Berlin, Germany

WASTE, SPORT and HABIT come together for The Fallow Games.

Wasteland Twinning Network Berlin in collaboration with Gabrielle de Vietri host a day of urban sporting and appropriation of the city’s wastelands on the Köpi-Brache. Participants gain points they tackle the terrain and hunt in the shrubs.

Starting at the Spree River with “Dear Liza”, the event comprises ten stations, which turn everyday activities into challenges and games. This first event saw participants emerge onto the wasteland with a holey bucket filled with river water. A ladder awaits them at Station 2, where they must empty the remaining contents of the bucket into a pipe, which waters the garden. At Station 4, Easy Money presents participants with a sand hill cashed-up with small-denomination coins, which then translate into points. Digging and sifting equipment is custom-made from materials found on the wasteland to make searching for money easy. Hunde Platz, modelled on the traditional assault course, is the most physically demanding station for both humans and dogs.  The action is accompanied by live commentary by Gabrielle de Vietri and Alex Head who interviewed with participants.

Commentary by Gabrielle de Vietri

Commentary by Alex Head

Commentary by Alex Head and Gabrielle de Vietri

Project: Will Foster, Alex Head and Gabrielle de Vietri
Stationmasters: Tapani Gradmann, Ferdiansyah Thajin, Gareth Davies, Clara Lescourret and Tapani Gradmann
Photo documentation by: Robyn Taylor, Tapani Gradmann and Will Foster
Video documentation by: Lars Hayer