Unbuilding Walls The German Pavillion

For 28 years, Germany has been united – exactly as long as the Berlin Wall existed (1961–1989). On the occasion of this parallel, GRAFT and Marianne Birthler are curating the exhibition “Unbuilding Walls” at the German Pavilion at the 16th International Architecture Exhibition in Venice. The exhibition responds to current debates on nations, protectionism and division.

In the German Pavilion, GRAFT and Marianne Birthler will take the parallel as an opportunity to explore the effects of division and the process of healing as a dynamic spatial phenomenon. With reference to “Freespace,” the central theme of the Architecture Biennale proposed by Grafton Architects, special focus will be given to outstanding examples of urban and architectural design that address aspects of division and integration. By analyzing architectural projects on the former border strip, the question of what happened on this unprecedented void in the middle of a new capital will be examined.

The heterogeneity of the multitude of approaches, typologies, protagonists, and results show the breadth of architectural debates and solutions. Taking the experience of the inner-German Wall as a starting point, the exhibition will also examine historical as well as current barriers, fences and walls beyond Germany’s specific national perspective. In the course of the preparations for Unbuilding Walls a journalist team travelled to border walls around the world. This work will be shown at the German Pavilion as well.

Graft and Marianne Birthler
Curators: Marianne Birthler, Lars Krückeberg, Wolfram Putz and Thomas Willemeit
Project management: Nora Zerelli
Production management: Felix Torkar
Project assistants: Marta Busnelli, Julia Dorn, Oliver Gudzowski, Laura Harnisch, Ameli Klein, Verena Otto
Design Team: Marvin Bratke, Raluca Ana Maria Constantin, Alexander Liu Cheng, Moritz Hanshans, Christopher Nielsen, Marta Piaseczynska, Laurent Thill
Graphic design and exhibition design: Proxi.me: Christian Schärmer, Rein Steger, Max Schmieding, Maria Martí Vigil
Video Installation Wall of Opinions:
Regie: Maria Seifert
Kamera: Helge Renner
Public relations: A B C Ana Berlin Communications, Ana Berlin, Gesa Valentini, Vanessa Lindenau, Franziska Laski
Exhibition realization: Alexander Lubic, cfk architetti: Clemens F. Kusch and Martin Weigert
Eventmanager in Venice: solmarino, Tomas Ewald
On behalf of: Federal Ministry of the Interior, Building and Community
Professional support:
Gabriele Kautz, BMI
Anne Keßler, BMI
Olaf Asendorf, BBSR