Strausberger Platz, the remains of a fallen system

Strausberger Platz was constructed in the 1950s after the second world war and was built by socialist workers from war ruins to create decadent facades to architecturally glorify communism (to the west side). It is the starting point of Karl Marx Allee and was once the pride of east Berlin. The main architect was Hermann Henselmann, who designed the area in the then contemporary, stalinistic-neoclassic style of the 1950s. Karl Marx Allee was actually called Stalin Allee until 1961. The boulevard extends from Strausberger Platz to Alexander platz and is a unique representation of Socialist Realist architecture in Germany.

It’s once decadent and demonstrative ideal, a glorification of a system, has now lost it’s significance only to function as a motorway roundabout. In the centre stands a fountain surrounded by ta very dismal metal art deco-esque sculpture. At night Strausberger Platz is even more depressing. The entire area is dark and the fountain switched off.

Arlette and I wanted to create something in the area as a reminder of what once was, a kind of monument or cemetery. I like the idea of a life size photo album in the space, like a picture on a grave.
So, we cover all of the buildings in gold wallpaper from top to bottom, we fill the fountain with dirt and erect a life size image/ photograph of the fountain standing on top of it. The materials we use, mainly paper or cardboard are 2 dimensional to contrast with the space and environment, and most importantly what is actually there and what is just a representation, or a symbol of the past.