Plate construction under the microscope: Art shows GDR residential culture new!

Plate construction under the microscope: Art shows GDR residential culture new!

Potsdam, Deutschland - The Minsk Art House in Potsdam is aimed in a new exhibition to the phenomenon of East German plate construction from the GDR period. From September 6, 2025 to February 8, 2026, around 50 works by various artists will be presented under the title "Residential complex. Art and life in prefabricated buildings". The art forms shown include installations, paintings, drawings, photographs and films from the 1970s to the present. Guest curator Kito Nedo emphasizes that the exhibition opens up new perspectives on the construction and life model of the prefabricated building.

Even before the turn, the prefabricated building was a central component of the GDR's socio -political strategy. It was regarded as a place of socialization and a symbol of progress in the real socialist system. However, this view changed after the turn when the prefabricated buildings were increasingly perceived as symbols of social problems and racist violence. The exhibition reflects on how urban spaces influence life plans and social structure in society.

part of the story

As part of the exhibition, the prefabricated building is not only discussed as a place of residence, but also as a symbol of social utopias and a projection field for social changes. Artistic works are closely linked to socio -political issues. The prefabricated building is more than just a construction; He remains part of the present lived and acts as a reminder of the GDR.

The history of the record construction in Berlin goes back to the 1920s when the first attempt, the Splanemann settlement, was taken. However, this approach did not last long because it was considered inefficient. After the Second World War, large projects such as Hansaviertel in the west and the Stalinallee in the east were realized in the 1950s, which, however, caused high costs. The lack of living space finally led to the standardization of the construction methods that made the prefabricated building popular.

the prefabricated building today

Especially in the 1970s, the prefabricated building in the east experienced a real boom under Erich Honecker to improve the living conditions of the population. As part of the Apartment Construction Programs, which was launched in 1973, 1.9 million apartments were created up to the turn, with Marzahn with 100,000 newly built units. This increase in living space reflected the social endeavor to increase the quality of life within the socialist agenda.

Nowadays, however, many prefabricated buildings in Berlin are around 50 to 60 years old. The photographer Jesse Simon, who moved to Berlin over ten years ago, formally documented this architecture and made it known for the public on Instagram and in a bilingual book. He calls for a re -evaluation of these buildings that have been considered unattractive for a long time. In order to address the challenge of the current lack of housing, a return to series buildings is often proposed, even if politicians prefer to speak of "serial construction". The prefabricated building thus remains both a legacy of the past and a challenge for the current social housing debate.