The fruits of Yasmine Ostendorf's Writer-in-Residence term at Ecologic Institute were presented at a festive December evening at Zabriskie Bookshop. The publication "Creative Environment – A guide to art and sustainability initiatives in Berlin" was rolled out to a vibrant group of scientists, artists, curators and the general public. The publication is available online and in hard copy.

After a gracious welcome by Jean-Marie Dhur and Lorena Carràs of Zabriskie bookshop, Dr. Camilla Bausch of Ecologic Institute gave an introduction of how the project came to pass, including its genesis at the seminar "Beyond Green: The Arts as a Catalyst for Sustainability" at Schloss Leopoldskron. Bausch also highlighted some of the similarities between scientists and artists – e.g. the need for inspiration and creativity - , as well as some of the differences – e.g.  methods, target audience and the role of individual perceptions and emotions. She concluded that these differences might indeed provide a trigger to spark interest and inspiration in each other.

Curator Yasmine Ostendorf  talked about the evolution of the project, from its roots in four previous guides focusing on several countries in Asia, to the development of the first ever City Guide in this series. A highlight of the evening came when the artist Markus Hoffmann, who also contributed to the publication, spoke about his perspective on the nexus of art and sustainability and what a publication of this kind can mean to the city of Berlin and beyond. After the presentations, surrounded by books on nature and culture and with the winter rain lashing at the windows, warmed with mulled wine and cookies, the evening continued in engaged exchange.

"Creative Environment: A Guide to Art and Sustainability Initiatives in Berlin" is a publication highlighting a number of multifaceted initiatives in Berlin that are working in the shared space of art and environmental sustainability. These initiatives include gallery spaces, music, visual art, housing projects and beyond. The scope of engagement of the artistic community engaging with the aspects of sustainability is illuminated and various aspects that characterize this engagement are brought to light.

Yasmine Ostendorf developed the main content of the publication during her residency at Ecologic Institute, during which she conducted interviews with relevant stakeholders of the art and sustainability scene.

The Writer-in-Residence Program at Ecologic Institute and the resulting publication was supported by the Institute for Advances Sustainability Studies, the Asia-Europe Foundation’s culture 360 program, the Andrea von Braun Foundation, the Schweisfurth Foundation and the Bausch Foundation.

The publication is available online and in hard copy for €10.

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