History and art at the East Side Gallery

A new open air exhibition for the Berlin Wall Foundation

East Side Gallery, Wall Steles, outdoor exhibition
East Side Gallery, Wall Steles, outdoor exhibition
Exhibition

For the Berlin Wall Foundation and after a concept of the agency minigram we produced a new exhibition at the world famous East Side Gallery. Topic of this exhibition is the artistic appropriation of the Wall by the 118 artists represented here. The recently opened outdoor exhibition provides new information for all Berliners and tourists alike. It is about the history of the place, the history of the exhibited art, and the importance of this historical monument in the capital.

15 information steles made of plate glass and three bright red “wall angles” made of brushed aluminum with pictures and text in German and English form the outdoor exhibition. The steles, which are just as high as the Berlin Wall, are located in the park section near river Spree.

The form of the stylized “wall angles” is integrated into the identity of the Berlin Wall, while the steles are standing out, mirroring their surroundings through the reflection of the glass. They thus take up the central idea of ​​the “reflection of history(s)” and become part of the landscape while highlighting it.

The “Wall Angles”

At the three main entrances along the East Side Gallery, we sat up “Wall Angles” based on elements of the Berlin Wall, on which the great stories of the East Side Gallery and the location are told. At Stralauer Platz, the beginning of the border closure in August 1961 is discussed; at the Spree window the expansion of the border strip and at the gatehouse the escape attempts through the river Spree.

The “Wall Steles”

15 high square steles illustrate the complex genesis of this special place. Five theme islands deal with the history of the Berlin Wall and the art on it.

Also, the rapid development of the city since 1990 finds its place here. It is about the great time of upheaval in 1989/90 and the subsequent transformation process. The people who were affected and who helped shape the change also have their say: Contemporary witnesses and the artists can be heard in interviews at three steles. Last but not least, the people who died on this section of the border are remembered.

An important place in an important place.