An anachronistic colossus made from 50 tons of bronze stands in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin. His fistraised, Communist Party leader Ernst Thälmann – declared a hero in the GDR – proclaims the victoryof communism. He has provided explosive material for decades. Too heavy, too solid for demolition asdecided in 1993 – the memorial survives the radical political change – a leftover, an inheritance:always politically and artistically controversial.
Artist Betina Kuntzsch rediscovers the monument in her “Kunst am Bau” project THINKING FROM APEDESTAL. In ten essayist short films she merges her own memories and stories with those of friendsand schoolmates, residents and users. Together with material found in many archives, they form akind of kaleidoscope and develop as cinematic perspectives of the Thälmann memorial.
The films of the program are part of the project VOM SOCKEL DENKEN, realized as a result of an art competition organized by the district office of Pankow of Berlin for the artistic commentary on the Ernst Thälmann Monument.Funded by the Federal Republic of Germany, the State of Berlin as part of the program "Urban Redevelopment".
On 18.11. from 2 p.m. the public will be invited to the ceremonial handover. The premiere at interfilm will follow at 6 pm.
Location of the ceremonial handover to the public:
Ernst Thälmann Monument - Greifswalder Str. 52 - 10405 Berlin
18.11.21, 18:30h,
Zeiss-Großplanetarium Kino
19.11.21, 16:30h,
Babylon 2