Berlin’s Theme for 2013
Invitation to the press conference for the opening of “Forgotten Jewish Architects”
an taking place as part of: “Diversity Destroyed: Berlin 1933-1938-1945”
Time: Friday, May 24, 2013
11 a.m.
Place: Deutscher Städtetag
Hausvogteiplatz 1
10117 Berlin-Mitte
Konferenzraum III
Speakers:
Dr. Günter Schlusche Association for Research on the Lives and Works of Germanspeaking Jewish Architects
Herr Kühnelt Kulturprojekte Berlin GmbH
Prof. Dr. Jörg Haspel Curator, Landmark Preservation Office Berlin
Justus Oehler Pentagram Design Ltd. Berlin London
Dr. Peter Krug Chairman of the Board, MBN Bau AG, Georgsmarienhütte/Berlin
The open-air exhibition draws attention to buildings by Jewish architects at 26 locations, most of them in the center of Berlin. On public areas in front of these buildings, information panels in German and English have been set up. They provide information about the respective structures, but primarily about their architects – their biographies and their life’s work. The exhibition is subdivided into three thematic tours:
I. City buildings
II. Housing estates
III. Villas and country houses
The tours are also available as a smartphone app.
The exhibition will be on view through the end of November.
We thank Kulturprojekte Berlin for their help in realizing this project and extend heartfelt thanks to our
sponsors: Mr. Justus Oehler from Pentagram Design Ltd. Berlin London and Dr. Peter Krug from the
firm MBN Bau AG, without whose tremendous support this project could not have been carried out.
Contact: www.juedische-architekten.de
Dr. Günter Schlusche
Forgotten Jewish architects
Before 1933 more than 500 Jewish architects lived and worked in Germany, the majority of them in Berlin. Most of them were committed to the modernist movement and Neues Bauen (the new architecture); their buildings were bold expressions of groundbreaking architectural design and aesthetics. On November 1st 1933, the National Socialist Party (Nazis) issued a law banning all Jewish architects from practicing their profession. Many of the architects who were unable to emigrate or flee were killed in the Holocaust. Despite their immense importance for German architecture and the urban development of Berlin, most of these architects have since been forgotten.
Our Project:
Forgotten Architects – Buildings and Biographies of Jewish Architects in Berlin
In 2013, it will be 80 years since the National Socialists came to power and 75 years since the November
Pogroms. There will be an exhibition throughout the city of Berlin, demonstrating how the Nazi dictatorship undermined what had, until 1933, been the pluralistic civic life of the metropolitan city and then went on to destroy it, as Jewish citizens were persecuted, excluded, deported, and murdered.
Supported by many different institutions, this exhibition is dedicated to recalling the destruction of diversity by emphasizing the works and the tragic fates of those who suffered from this devastation. Our Association takes part with the project “Forgotten Architects – Buildings and Biographies of Jewish
Architects in Berlin”, which is dedicated to the creative works of Jewish architects in connection with
contemporary architecture, in remembrance of the immense loss, and is now engaged in the restitution of the legacy of Jewish architects.
Before 1933, more than 450 Jewish architects lived and worked in Germany, 300 of them in Berlin alone. After 1933, they were prohibited from practicing their profession; most reminders of their existence and work were expunged. The architects were forced to flee for their lives. The paths they took in search of safe havens can be traced to North and South America, Australia and New Zealand, South Africa, Cuba, England, Denmark, Sweden, Portugal, Turkey and, last but not least, to Palestine. At least 70 architects who remained in Germany – including 57 men and 2 women from Berlin – were deported to concentration camps and murdered. These architects had been members of leading professional organizations, many were outstanding proponents of modern architecture.
Even today, their buildings often represent the cultural and urban development and are still part of the
architectural landscape in many German cities, especially Berlin.
The Association for Research on the Lives and Works of German-speaking Jewish Architects, founded some 20 years ago, presents on the occasion of “Berlin 2013 – Diversity Destroyed” a selection of 25 to 30 remarkable buildings within thematic city walks. Each building is marked in the public space by city markers which inform about the architect and his personal fate as well as about the building, its use, and its history. These walks are also traceable by a mobile internet app as well as with a printed flyer.
Thus the achievements and life histories of these architects whose lives were thrown off course by National Socialist persecution and the cultural values their buildings are representing will be brought back into public awareness. Biographical research on these individuals often reaches far beyond German borders, becoming deeply interwoven with countries such as Israel, the USA, and many other European nations. So the Association’s investigations always contribute also to the restoration and enhancement of Europe’s cultural heritage.
The buildings designed by Jewish architects have often undergone structural alterations or conversions since the Nazi era. Sometimes, the current owners or users know nothing about the history of their buildings or the architects. The Association therefore views its activities as helping to redress the injustice – as a means of preserving historical memory.
Donations account 62 66 95 100, BLZ 100 100 10, Postbank Berlin