In mid-November 2017 an extended proposal was submitted for the final round of the art-for-architecture competition for Humboldt Forum I. This, the first of several competitions for the new Humboldt Forum in Berlin, relates to the stairwells above portals 1 and 5 in the Schlüterhof courtyard of the Berlin City Palace. In June 2017 the preliminary round took place, with 223 entries. 20 of these concepts were selected for the final round, including the concept “Wege suchen – Wege finden” (Seeking Ways – Finding Ways, see report 12/2017). On 29 September 2017 a colloquium with a viewing of the site took place.
of the Berlin
City Palace
(Humboldt Forum)
17-21-001
of the Berlin
City Palace
(Humboldt Forum)
17-21-002
with portal 1
17-21-003
17-21-004
the stairwell
into the Schlüterhof
17-21-005
in the colloquium
in the stairwell
above portal 1
17-21-006
the mural
for the stairwell
above portal 1
17-21-007
integrated
into the grid
of the architecture
17-21-008
on the upper floor
17-21-009
the mural
for the stairwell
above portal 5
17-21-010
integrated
into the grid
of the architecture
17-21-011
on the upper floor
17-21-012
“Wege suchen”
integrated
into the model
of the stairwell
(photo montage)
17-21-013
“Wege suchen”
integrated
into the model
of the stairwell
(photo montage)
17-21-014
“Wege suchen”
integrated
into the model
of the stairwell
(photo montage)
17-21-015
“Wege finden”
integrated
into the model
of the stairwell
(photo montage)
17-21-016
“Wege finden”
integrated
into the model
of the stairwell
(photo montage)
17-21-017
“Wege finden”
integrated
into the model
of the stairwell
(photo montage)
17-21-018
the window
from several
directions
(portal 1)
17-21-019
appearance
of the mural
“Wege suchen”
17-21-020
appearance
of the mural
“Wege suchen”
17-21-021
the window
from several
directions
(portal 5)
17-21-022
appearance
of the mural
“Wege finden”
17-21-023
appearance
of the mural
“Wege finden”
17-21-024
The approach:
“Wege suchen” is a proposal for the stairwell above portal 1. “Wege finden” is a proposal for the stairwell above portal 5. If both murals are executed, they form a visual link by means of their relationship in content and form. If only one is executed, it still works, as the two murals are thematically autonomous.
The external effect:
“Wege suchen” and “Wege finden” establish a first visual contact through their external appearance. The central window in each block of the stairwells forms a focus in perception of the Schlüterhof. The two windows, as poles on the longitudinal axis of the courtyard, provide not only a view from inside to outside, but also and above all a view from outside to inside. From outside, visitors see colour. And they see life – all the more when the stairwells are illuminated. They see that the second and third floors are connected. Their interest in the interior of the building is aroused.
The internal effect:
From close up, “Wege suchen” and “Wege finden” are only perceived by a limited number of persons. Whereas the murals outside give a signal to everybody who crosses the Schlüterhof, here they only address users of the stairs. As the space is narrow, they are not initially evident as a whole. They accompany visitors ascending the stairs, encourage their upwards movement and suggest a continuation on the upper floor. The upper part of the mural only becomes apparent gradually. On the second landing, the visitor gains an overall view. As the upper section is approached, the lower part increasingly recedes. Thus perception of the painting is a process synchronous with the use of the stairs. In this way the ascent gains a meaning, becomes an experience.
The artistic message:
“Wege suchen” and “Wege finden” are short formulae that reflect the ideal meaning of the Humboldt Forum. It is not only about what is here but about what is possible here; it is less about what exists than about the message, less about the function than about the potential. Art for architecture should not restrict itself to the didactic placing of posters in a cosmopolitan and intercultural place, but should go one step further, open up perspectives and gain impulses from the existing cultural institution. This is why the two murals not only show diversity but also place syntactic diversity in a visionary context of meaning: ways that are actively sought and surely found. The messages of the images thus form a dual succession. One is the fulfilment of the other.
Formal nature:
The mural “Wege suchen” shows diversity as a structure of approaches, a staccato of directions that are not continued. By means of inversions, unambiguous perception is undermined and disorientation suggested. Yet the theme of “seeking ways” is not realised as a problem but as a positive and encouraging panorama that radiates energy. The mural “Wege finden” shows diversity as the antithesis of staccato: as legato. It shows a scenario of purposeful actions. The fulfilment that is made visible here rests on the connections that flow throughout, especially on the enhanced colour saturation.
Relationship to the architecture:
“Wege suchen” and “Wege finden” respond to the Baroque architecture by harmonising with its reverberations in counterpoint. One the one hand, in their vivacity they are equivalent to paintings of the Baroque era. They display structural and chromatic consistency, and are painterly in the sense of Heinrich Wölfflin. In the spirit of Baroque aesthetics they open the wall to an imaginary space. On the other hand, they counteract the opulent symmetry by means of stringent and purposeful asymmetry, the right-angled grid by means of a diagonal dynamic, and the formal coherence of the interior and façade by means of an openness of the painted image that transcends boundaries. The architecture and painting turn the connection of tradition and vision into reality.
Technical execution:
The murals are to be executed in the acrylic paint Lascaux Artist and coated with matt protective lacquer against dirt and wear. If after some years the walls of the stairwells need to be repainted, the problem could arise that paint must be laboriously applied around the contours of the murals. This could be avoided by integrating the grey of the walls into the murals, i.e. by covering the walls with grey paint at the same time and sealing the entire wall with protective lacquer. It would then in effect be washable. Subsequent painting of the walls will no longer be required. If the murals should be partially damaged, repairs – as past experience has shown – are so unproblematic that any painting and decorating company could do the work, provided that the original materials are used.