Radikal Modern Exhibition in Berlin

Up until 26^th October an exhibition is on show at the Berlinische Galerie, Berlin, which examines the culture of design and architecture in Berlin during the sixties of the last century, or rather, bang in the middle of the Modernist era. Hence the title “Radikal Modern”.



We have noticed that Modernism, as a period of the history of architecture, risks extinction. Here, at Livegreenblog we have given space to modernist architecture risking demolition or indeed, already demolished, from Oslo to Birmingham.



The exhibition “Radikal Modern. Urban planning and architecture in the 1960's Berlin”, on at the National Museum for Modern Art, Photography and Architecture, just re-opened after renovation, examines precisely these themes, focusing more on architecture and infrastructures in general than iconic buildings which are still in the public's favour like the Nationalgalerie di Mies van der Rohe, to mention only one.





The material exhibited is very beautiful and includes several original pieces: models, films, drawings, maps, manuscripts and collages create a full immersion into the history of the visual communication of architecture in the sixties. It illustrates and shapes the vision of the reconstruction of Berlin (destroyed during World War II and furthermore divided by the wall from 1961).





Thanks to selected projects, like the developments along the ex-Stalinallee, at Alexanderplatz, at Breitscheidplatz or in the Märkische Viertel the objectives, differences and communal parts of the planning are analysed within Berlin's two different political systems of the era.





Therefore, Radikal Modern is much more than an urban architectural exhibition as it is presented in the form of a journey into the recent past and, in any case, is radically different compared to today so also for this reason no less valuable than other epochs. Let's not forget that Berlin's radical modernism, whether you like it or not, is a concrete historical record that helps us understand our present times better.

Christiane Bürklein

Mostra: “Radikal Modern. Pianificare e costruire a Berlino negli anni 1960”
fino al 26 ottobre 2015
alla Berlinische Galerie
http://www.berlinischegalerie.de/ausstellungen-berlin/aktuell/radikal-modern/
Trailer: http://youtu.be/Vf7ZM1DXrX8 
Immagini: Courtesy of Berlinische Galerie - diritti degli autori