Suddenly Wonderful

Suddenly Wonderful: Visions for chunky 1970’s architecture in West Berlin

During the Cold War, some notable big buildings went up in West Berlin as new sites for research, education and cultural activity. They include the International Congress Centre (ICC Berlin, 1973–1979), also known as the “Battleship Charlottenburg”, the erstwhile Institute of Hygiene and Microbiology (1969–1974) and the former Central Animal Labs, nicknamed “Mäusebunker”, at the Freie Universität Berlin in Lichterfelde (1971–1981), and the tower restaurant in Steglitz better known as the “Bierpinsel”. While they made their mark on the urban landscape by dint of their sheer size, the popular nicknames coined by residents have likewise set their stamp on local parlance.

West Berlin's monuments to high-tech modernism
With their futuristic shapes, functional complexity and novel façades, these buildings symbolised a contemporary belief in progress. They were also intended to show the world that the walled-off half-city remained a competitive force. And yet they were criticised from the outset as ugly and inefficient. Today, after years of neglect and now technologically obsolete, they are regularly threatened with demolition. But that destiny is being increasingly challenged by academics, artists and politicians who value these architectures as impressive monuments to the hightech modernism of the West. By singling out a number of examples, this exhibition turns the spotlight on these debates and on efforts to preserve and revitalise this historical and cultural heritage.

On show are blueprints by reputed architects and planners based in Berlin, all of whom appreciate the existing buildings: as valuable resources in pursuit of the energy transition and as places that generate a sense of identity for residents and users. The practice of these teams derives from recognising the potential for new uses in existing architectural structures.

This exhibition brings together new ideas with designs, technical drawings and films from the museum’s collection, some never displayed before. They tell the story of how these buildings were conceived and created. Works by artists such as Kay Fingerle, Beate Gütschow, Matthias Hoch and Tracey Snelling contribute a present-day take on these striking icons of the 1970s. There are some 85 works on show by about 20 architectural and planning practices, photographers and artists.

 

Bureau N und Something Fantastic, ICCC – International Center for Contemporary Culture, 2014-2023 © Bureau N / Something Fantastic
Wanneer
26 May 2023, 10:00 to 18 September 2023, 18:00
Waar
Berlinische Galerie
Alte Jakobstraße 124 - 128
Berlin
Organisator
Berlinische Galerie
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