Unbuilding Walls – Exhibition Catalog

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Project type

Publication

Status

Completed

Time

2017–2018

Ob behalf of

Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community

Preface

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Publisher

Birkhäuser

Language

German / English

ISBN

978-3-0356-1613-2

Year

2017 - 2018

For 28 years, Germany had been united – exactly as long as the Berlin Wall existed (1961–1989). On the occasion of this parallel, GRAFT and Marianne Birthler curated the exhibition “Unbuilding Walls” at the German Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice.
The exhibition responded to current debates on nations, protectionism and division. In the German Pavilion, GRAFT and Marianne Birthler took the opportunity to explore the effects of division and the process of healing as a dynamic spatial phenomenon.

This accompanying publication examines prominent examples of urban and architectural design that have arisen along the course of the former border strip since the reunification and address aspects of division and integration. Special focus is given to the site of the former Berlin Wall. In a series of essays, renowned architects, urban planners and political commentators examine the urban and social manifestations and implications of these developments. The publication also responds to current debates on nations, protectionism and division. As the world grows together, walls are increasingly being discussed and built that divide people from one another.

With contributions by: Marianne Birthler, Axel Klausmeier, Michael Cramer, John Kornblum, Thomas Krüger, Michael Pilz, Scilla Elworthy, Wolfgang Tiefensee, Jochen Sandig, Hans Stimmann, Kristin Feireiss, Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz, Thomas Willemeit; and interviews with Daniel Libeskind and Bruno Flierl.