Kulturpark: Abandoned Amusement Park in Berlin Will Become a Magical Art Installation This Summer

This summer, an abandoned <a href="http://inhabitat.com/brad-pitt-and-angelina-jolie-to-build-eco-friendly-theme-park-for-their-six-kids/">amusement park</a> in a forest outside of Berlin will be transformed into an interactive art installation called <a href="http://www.kulturpark.org" target="_blank">Kulturpark</a>. Curated by <a href="http://spinelloprojects.com/" target="_blank">Anthony Spinello</a>, <a href="http://www.goelsewhere.org/" target="_blank">George Scheer, Stephanie Sherman</a> and <a href="http://agustinawoodgate.com/" target="_blank">Agustina Woodgate</a>, the formerly disused park will feature site-specific art pieces from artists from around the world. The ambitious exhibition will take place at the end of June amongst the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/visiondivision-unveils-swing-set-and-visitor-kiosk-made-from-a-single-100-foot-tree/" target="_blank">vintage amusement rides</a>, and it will coincide with the Berlin Biennale.

The park was originally opened in 1969 as Kulturpark Planterwald, an <a href="http://inhabitat.com/farmland-world-is-a-colorful-eco-amusement-park-that-teaches-us-about-our-food/" target="_blank">amusement park</a> for then-Soviet Berlin.

After passing to private hands, it closed in 2001, leaving behind many of the vintage rides to sit unused for years. The park itself is magical in its ruin.

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/big-yellow-bunny-made-from-local-swedish-materials-is-easily-the-size-of-a-building/" target="_blank">A giant Tyrannosaurus Rex rests on its side</a>, while a pack of triceratops walk through the overgrown terrain, with graffiti tags on their bodies.

The Swan Ride, which visitors once paddled through the pond in, are now grounded, but still all in formation together. Tea Cups, roller coasters and even a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/coney-islands-wonder-wheel-is-getting-solar-powered-lights/" target="_blank">giant ferris wheel</a> are still on site, gently vandalized, with signs of nature taking over and growing in and around the machinery.

The grounds also has a ghost train, haunted house, amphitheater and pirate ship.

Beginning in June, the long awaited artist take over will begin with a three week Creative Camp that will invite Berlin-born artists, architects and creates to use the park as a studio, and work together to create <a href="http://inhabitat.com/wind-playground-is-an-interactive-kinetic-sculpture-that-invites-individuals-to-enjoy-the-breeze/" target="_blank">site-specific works</a>.

Upon completion, lectures and workshops will be held for students of all ages, followed by the public opening.

After the art exhibition, proposals to transform the privately-owned grounds of Kulturpark into a <a href="http://inhabitat.com/mobile-urban-agriculture-blooms-in-berlins-prinzessinnengarten/" target="_blank">public park for Berlin</a> will be considered, hopefully resulting in public space in the coming years. Kulturpark just launched their <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1353197694/kulturpark" target="_blank">Kickstarter campaign</a> to enable the magic to happen in Berlin this summer!