Art

The combined wisdom of the grand wrights of the German economy, very much engaged in culture (the Federal Association of Industry), attempted to impose their appreciation of art on the former East German states, and this by way of an invitation to tender in which it was suspected – and not without justification – that the result was a foregone conclusion.

Approximately six light columns by an American light artist were to be installed for approx. DM 1 million so as to be almost hidden from view.

The proposal (6 lines) had been entered in the plans with clumsy strokes by the gallery owner representing the artist.

Catalogues were being kept at the ready for other art contributions.

The winning design did not come to fruition; instead, at the architect’s suggestion, individual objects were purchased or made, in some cases by well-known artists from the region, which interpreted various spatial situations in a way which gave them meaning, including the great void in the tower (Max Uhlig, Hartwig Eberspach, Andreas Gursky, Prof. Stephan).  Especially as not all of the objects are location-dependent ('Art in Architecture' as opposed to 'Art on Architecture'), in one instance at least there has been an appreciation in value of approx. 5000 %.

Matthias Jakisch