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Art on the building

Posted by Katrin Skora on 27. July 2021
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Art on buildings: prestige factor, food for thought, aesthetic and social experience

After the Second World War, many German cities resembled desolate wastelands. Their reconstruction was one of the greatest challenges of German post-war policy. The buildings of that time reflected the general hardship in their modest and often meagre furnishings. This made the decision of the German Bundestag on January 25, 1950 to spend a certain percentage of the construction costs of public buildings on art all the more sensational. At the time, this legal regulation was intended to help give new impetus to cultural life, which had been brought to a standstill by the National Socialists. At the same time, artists were to be offered social support, as no functioning art market had yet been established in Germany. The aim was to set an example and set a positive example in order to motivate private developers and entrepreneurs to bring art and culture back into the public sphere.

Tradition for centuries

Art in architecture has been a tradition for many centuries: no palace, no church or cathedral, no prestigious project whose architectural message and pride of ownership were not underlined by art. In Germany, too, art in architecture has always been seen as an integral element of building culture that can make a decisive contribution to the quality and message of buildings and thus reach people, the everyday observer. After all, art in architecture and architecture are public arts: they are generally accessible and permanently present, they are an expression of the cultural self-image of a community, a city, an entire country. This is why large companies, banks and insurance companies have long recognized the importance of such art. Representative sculptures in front of the entrance, large paintings in the foyer and decorative architectural details are standard features of every large company headquarters and shape the corporate identity and thus the image of the company.

High priority for private builders

This art form has always been of great importance to private developers, as developers and investors often have a special connection to their projects. Art on buildings is less mere decoration, but rather a reflection of a building and its function, an aesthetic contrast and intellectual stimulation. The artistic enhancement of a building is a contribution to the appearance of the city and creates a lasting aesthetic experience for the residents and visitors of the buildings, but also for the public space. After all, it is important that art does not just take place in museums and enclosed spaces, but in places where people come together and live.

Prominent examples

There are plenty of prominent examples in Berlin in particular: 8,000 works of art on, in or in front of public buildings bear witness to the cultural self-image of the Federal Republic and the GDR. The 30-metre-high “Molecule Man” in front of the Treptowers, created by Jonathan Borofsky and standing in the Spree, is also known beyond the city limits and creates an iconic connection with an urban symbol. The developers of EDGE East Side or the landmark Am Tacheles project approached the development of the buildings with an essential artistic approach from the outset and engaged renowned architectural firms to realize their artistic vision. But Berlin’s lively street art scene has also long been working with art-conscious investors and owners. From building fences to entire large walls, works of art are being created for the general public, such as the street art presented by street artist Mario Mankey on the lofts of FORTIS AG in Schulzendorfer Strasse in Wedding as part of Sleek Art Week.

Art in architecture creates meaning

Art in buildings and art in public spaces is therefore much more than a superfluous luxury, an end in itself or even a pure means of self-expression. Art brings a sensual dimension to the functional environments of buildings, towns and villages and thus makes an important contribution to identity, community spirit and quality of life. Artistic achievements complement architecture and surroundings and create meaning: they arouse curiosity, contribute to sharpening perception, open up our view of the world and enable new contexts of meaning.

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