The exhibition at Berlinische Galerie explores features of these architectural designs that reveal international networking between those involved, illustrates how knowledge of international trends was reflected in concrete designs and stimulates a reevaluation of this contentious period of construction.
Architecture and urban design from the sixties still set their stamp on the Berlin townscape. Many key planning decisions were made in the sixties and some striking buildings were constructed during that period.
Due to low public opinion, both in and beyond Berlin, the architecture and highly developed transport infrastructure of the 1960s are a neglected and therefore vulnerable legacy. In contrast to iconic individual pieces of architecture, such as the National Galerie by Mies van der Rohe or the Haus des Lehrers ('House of Teachers') by Hermann Henselmann, many buildings are characterized as 'monotone', 'cheap' and 'obsolete', and are seldom well maintained.
The plans and buildings from this period are evidence of historical ideas that, in a clear departure from the architectural language of the Nazi dictatorship, aligned themselves with the concept of the 'International Modern' and the ideal vision of a city adapted to the automobile.
Belief in progress, an economic boom and the display of power by two opposing systems during the Cold War manifest themselves in the construction of representative architecture, innovative shopping centres, dense high-rise settlements and a road network built for the future.
Roughly 300 works by more than 30 architects, planning offices, photographers, artists and filmmakers are on display.
Amongst the selected architects are: Paul Baumgarten, Candilis Josic Woods mit Schiedhelm, Werner Düttmann, Walter Gropius, Hermann Henselmann, Helmut Hentrich und Hubert Petschnigg, Walter Herzog, Josef Kaiser, Roland Korn, Mies van der Rohe, Georg Heinrichs, Ulrich Müther, Hans Scharoun, Ralf Schüler und Ursulina Schüler-Witte, Manfred Zumpe.
Some of the artists: Beate Gütschow, Karsten Konrad, Hendrik Krawen, Bernd Trasberger, Stephen Willats.
Venue and dates.- Berlinische Galerie (Museum of Modern Art), Berlin, May 29th to October 26th.
