Berlin: Week 3

Berlin is all about re-inventing itself. From Schinkel's use of revival architecture in a search for new individuality,to coping with the dark past in the National Socialist movement, the city has created new meaning, both intentional and by chance, in its works of construction. This is true both in the new and the old.

Much like the artificial ruins of Pfaueninsel, many buildings within Potsdam's Sanssouci Park come from the 18th century, yet harken back to a much earlier time. The style of the park is clearly baroque. Each building is clearly visible, almost framed, by long walkways littered with foliage in the forground. A similar scene is witness from these buildings as well, as a views looking out onto the park look as though they were planned to appear like a painting from all angles. Seemingly unrelated to this theme, an Egyptian-style obelisk, covered with hieroglyphs (Seen in first photograph) marks the eastern entrance to the park. The monument, however, pays tribute to ancient symbols of abundance and the flowers and new life of spring. Though the scene at Sanssouci Park is much different than one of ancient Egypt, this building was planned to bring new meaning to an old symbol. It adds a fresh layer, while also honoring the accomplishments of the past.

As Brian Ladd points out in "The Ghosts of Berlin", the Reichstag building (seen in the second image) was treasured by Hitler and continued to serve as an important building under the Nazi movement. The building was also used as an excuse to gain special executive powers allowing the persecution of communists under very questionable circumstances after the Reichstag Fire of 1933. At this time, the building stood as a symbol of unjust Nazi power. During the GDR rule, the building was left in limbo and stood as a symbol of a weakened and divided Germany. After reunification, the building once again served as home to Germany's parliament and the new glass dome was constructed. The building now stands as a symbol of the just, democratic, and united nation that Germany is today, despite a trying history.

The fact that one building can stand for so many different things in such a short period of time does indeed show the importance of the building itself, but more importantly, it shows that the value given a building by the people who use it and preserve it is far more important that what the building was originally intended to be. This lesson can also be applied to the preservation of the Berlin Wall in the East Side Gallery (seen in the third image). The simple concrete slabs once stood for oppression, division, and pain, but are today a symbol of peace and unity, and have even gone so far as to serve as a medium for artwork that can further convey this message.