Four Mushrooms
July 11, 2026
With over 30 examples, Cologne is the world capital of “weather mushrooms.” Many of these striking postwar concrete structures have survived to this day, scattered throughout the city but often forgotten. Four Mushrooms invites you on a journey to Cologne’s obscure and overlooked places—where concrete meets sound, literature meets city history, and architecture meets nature. On July 11, 2026, from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., there will be plenty to discover at the four “weather mushrooms” in Nordpark, Toni-Steingass-Park (Nippes), Blücherpark (Bilderstöckchen), and Herkulesberg (Neustadt-Nord). The entire program is free of charge.
(1) Nordpark, Cologne-Nippes
12:00 p.m. Klaus Herda 12:30 p.m. Jannis Carbotta
It is largely thanks to Klaus Herda that the “weather mushrooms” in Germany have been mapped and documented in terms of their unique characteristics (www.wetterpilze.de). In a conversation with Cologne-based journalist Sven von Reden, Herda will discuss his archaeological work with these concrete giants. Jannis Carbotta is a Cologne-based artist who works primarily in the fields of ambient music and field recordings. For the Four Mushrooms project, Carbotta has explored the “habitat” of the weather mushrooms and will present his impressions to us in an audio performance.
(2) Toni-Steingass Park, Cologne-Nippes
1:30 p.m. Rebecca Endler, Svenja Reiner, Christine Koschel
Nature plays a central role in the poems of the Cologne-based poet Hilde Domin (1909–2006). That’s exactly where we want to rediscover her: Under the weather shelter in the park, author Rebekka Endler (Witches, Bitches, IT-Girls, 2025) and literary educator Svenja Reiner will read and discuss selected works by Domin. The afternoon will be accompanied by visual artist Christine Koschel, who will bring the experience to life through her edible creations.
(3) Blücherpark, Cologne-Bilderstöckchen
4:00 p.m. Sonic Meditations, sound meditation workshop (based on Pauline Oliveros)
Sonic Meditations is a collection of compositions for laypeople, published in 1974 by the American composer Pauline Oliveros (1931–2016). The work does not consist of traditionally notated music, but rather of brief textual instructions that are carried out together with the audience. No prior knowledge is required; children of elementary school age and older are welcome to participate. Among other things, Oliveros sought to make her pieces easily accessible, but also to consciously shift the focus of auditory attention and thereby challenge listeners’ habits. Cologne-based artists Esther Rosiny-Wieland and Elisa Kühnl, along with musicologist Hanna Bächer, will lead the Sonic Meditations. Registration is not required.
(4) Herkulesberg, Cologne Neustadt-Nord
6:00 p.m. Slippy G 7:00 p.m. Visky
Slippy G collects records like others collect mushrooms: This weekend, the DJ and producer from Cologne is traveling across Germany with his suitcase. He’ll be performing live for the first time at Herkulesberg, complete with a sampler, synthesizer, and drum machine. As the final act of the Four Mushrooms lineup, Cologne-based DJ Visky—aka Vicky Hytrek—will produce a new episode of her Callshop Radio show, “Pool Time,” live for us.
