Diary of the Lost Things

Saturday afternoon in Leipzig. One complete family: parents, grandparents and children are happily walking along Holbeinstrasse. They go to a nearby park, to have a nice time. The park is big, but it is a sunny day and the park is full of families, young couples and groups of friends eating barbecue meat. Everything looks idyllic; there is sun, no disturbing noises, no stress and the city looks to be far away. But, is the consumerism far away too? Even in the middle of nature, publicity appears in each playground.

In the meantime, all is different in the city centre. There are a lot of people walking, laughing or shopping. It is impossible to find a quite place to seat and relax on the street. In the middle of the crowd, one guitarist tries to earn some money. But nobody notice him.

However, a group of girls capture people’s attention. All of them wear colourful and trendy 80’s fashion clothes. They are going to the cinema, ignoring the musician while they shout for joy because they are going to see Zac Efron’s new movie.

Industrial parts of the city are like the guitarist. They are part of the city, but they are deserted, although they have a lot of potential.

By chance, two couples meet each other near the street musician. Attracted by music, their kids start dancing one Beatle’s song. Although their parents try to capture their attention, they stayed there, dancing and having fun.

Finally, one man who has enjoyed the scene, gives a coin to the guitarist.

Like this case, projects like Spinnerei also helps to redevelop industrial areas and tries to reincorporate them to the new city. But, which is the better way of developing?