August
06, 2008 Artist Maddy Rosenberg featured in Berlin preservation project
“Memory Happens” or “The Art Of Memory”
An art project in aid of preserving the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church
Objective: The Preservation Of The Old Tower
Twelve participating artists will each create a work of art that reflects on the value of this church for Germany, Europe and the world, both historically and within the context of art history. These artworks, created specifically for the project, will be
auctioned and the resulting funds used for the restoration of the ruined tower of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. The participating artists have generously agreed to donate their artwork for this purpose.
Background
Artist Emily Pütter was commissioned by The Berliner Bank to paint a large format work of the Memorial Church. The painting was subsequently auctioned at the Berliner Bank’s New Year reception (2008) with a view to raising funds for the old tower. The auction of the work raised 7500 Euros and received considerable coverage in the Berlin press. (Die Welt: 21.01.08, Berliner Morgenpost: 24.01.08). From this success came the idea of a further exhibition and auction in which twelve international artists would be invited to participate. Emily Pütter committed herself to organizing this event in cooperation with Factory Berlin.
Reflections On The Tower
The ruined tower of the old KWG Church has a place in the hearts of the Berlin people. The landmark, affectionately named the hollow tooth, suffered extensive damage during an Allied air raid in 1943. It remains a significant war ruin to this day, serving as a so-called “Generationsruine“: Every generation should contribute to the conservation of the tower in order to preserve it as an important symbol for future generations.
Those questioned about the associations triggered by the landmark spontaneously remark, “a symbol against war” or “the second world war” or “Berlin”, without being able to give further specific details. It is this generality that prompted the idea of
bringing the tower back into focus through a broader outside perspective, and to newly articulate its symbolism from a fresh vantage point. The campaign for the preservation of the tower began under the working title “ A church tower that moves.” This title engenders questions such as: Who is moved by
this tower? In what way does it move us? The project searches for answers to these questions by pursuing diverse international perspectives on the tower.
"12 Perspectives + 1"
International artists from different regions and religions of the world, of different ages, and with contrasting viewpoints, have undertaken to create a work in which this symbol is explored. The artists have a free reign to develop their work in whichever
direction they wish. The resulting works offer unique perspectives on an outstanding landmark, which is itself in a state of constant change. It is anticipated that the contributions from artists of different nationalities will kindle a process of reappraisal and stimulate wider discussion.
The selected artists have established careers both in their country of origin as well as internationally. They come from England: Rachel Lumsden, United States of America: Maddy Rosenberg, Spain: Rafael Mundi and Antonio Bueno Tubia, Italy: Angiola Bonanni, France: Christoff Baron, Russia: Oleg Ikona, Poland: Iwona Cur,
Korea: Shon SoYoung, Argentina: Sergio Sunblad, Turkey: Adnan Kalkanci, Austria: Leo Königsberg and the former GDR: Rolf Biebl. Each of them will create a work especially for this occasion, drawing on their own highly personal encounter with this historical building and its significance.
