HIER WOHNTE
Metamorphosis/Kurfürstendamm
“Hier wohnte” means “Here lived” in German. The work engages in a dialogue with the commemorative brass plaques installed in the pavements of the Kurfürstendamm area in Berlin, for those deported and killed during the Nazi era. These plaques, known as “Stolpersteine”, are situated in front of the last freely chosen place of residence of the people commemorated. The work follows the structure of a manhole cover located in the same area and the names of the commemorated are drawn on the surface of the work in a way that reflects the location of the respective plaque on the map. “Hier wohnte” is comprised of thirty six individual pieces of paper embossed on a Heidelberg 25X35 vertical press. Eleven of them bear drawings executed with powdered pigment in black, the medium alluding to historical memory’s impending deletion. The film Metamorphosis/Kurfürstendamm illustrates the creative process behind the work.
"Hier wohnte" is part of Metamorphosis/Kurfürstendamm and the broader project Metamorphosis. It was presented in the group show "Lost Space", João Cocteau Gallery, Berlin, March 2014.
Metamorphosis/Kurfürstendamm
“Hier wohnte” means “Here lived” in German. The work engages in a dialogue with the commemorative brass plaques installed in the pavements of the Kurfürstendamm area in Berlin, for those deported and killed during the Nazi era. These plaques, known as “Stolpersteine”, are situated in front of the last freely chosen place of residence of the people commemorated. The work follows the structure of a manhole cover located in the same area and the names of the commemorated are drawn on the surface of the work in a way that reflects the location of the respective plaque on the map. “Hier wohnte” is comprised of thirty six individual pieces of paper embossed on a Heidelberg 25X35 vertical press. Eleven of them bear drawings executed with powdered pigment in black, the medium alluding to historical memory’s impending deletion. The film Metamorphosis/Kurfürstendamm illustrates the creative process behind the work.
"Hier wohnte" is part of Metamorphosis/Kurfürstendamm and the broader project Metamorphosis. It was presented in the group show "Lost Space", João Cocteau Gallery, Berlin, March 2014.
Hier wohnte, installation, detail, 108 cm x 136 cm, paper, powdered pigment, 2014
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Photography: Rebecca Culverhouse
Hier wohnte
Installation
108 cm x 136 cm
Powdered pigment, paper
2014
Hier wohnte
Installation
108 cm x 136 cm
Powdered pigment, paper
2014
Source Material/Traces
Below is material from the documentation that took place during the first part of the work's process. The traces were produced through the method of frottage, a non-intermediated way of capturing the object's texture on paper. The final work interprets the form/structure and textual elements collected through the traces.
Below is material from the documentation that took place during the first part of the work's process. The traces were produced through the method of frottage, a non-intermediated way of capturing the object's texture on paper. The final work interprets the form/structure and textual elements collected through the traces.
Metamorphosis/Kurfürstendamm documentary (04:33 mn), film still. Directed by Rebecca Culverhouse
Footage/camera: Rebecca Culverhouse
Click on the images for full view and description