Heritage Conservation as a Public Concern
The »Beteiligung in der Denkmalpflege« (Participation in Heritage Conservation) pilot project is being launched by the city of Erfurt's Denkmalbehörde (Department of Heritage Conservation) in August and September 2020, assisted by the Conservation and History of Architecture department in the Faculty of Architecture and Urban Studies at Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. The Denkmalbehörde involves citizens and members of the public who are interested in conservation issues.
The Erfurt Denkmalbehörde is organising a public poll in the Thuringian capital to debate the currently uncertified GDR modernist building heritage. Erfurt's citizens are being asked for their opinion on ten buildings and ensembles. Visitors to the »Zwei deutsche Architekturen – Architektur in der DDR und der BRD« (Two German Architectures – Architecture in the GDR and FRG) exhibition can also cast their votes.
»In Erfurt, relatively few buildings and ensembles have been designated as heritage sites. This reflects the public's attitude to the issue: the recognition of East German public art and the architectural and garden designs of the 1950s has increased while buildings from the 1970s and 1980s attract far less attention. They are often considered outdated, but not historical or worthy of conservation«, explains Dr Mark Escherich, M.Eng., a conservationist in Erfurt and research associate in the department of Conservation and History of Architecture at the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar. Dr. Escherich helped design the pilot project and will also evaluate it.
The interactive project will conclude with a public panel discussion at 7 pm on 10. September 2020. Representatives of the architectural community, cultural policy, and voluntary and institutional conservation will be discussing »DDR-Architektur und Partizipation. Denkmal weiterdenken« (GDR architecture and participation. Thinking beyond monuments) and will summarise of the pilot project.
Poster exhibition and poll »DDR-Architektur – entbehrlich oder erhaltungswürdig?« (GDR architecture – unnecessary or worth conserving?)
A part of the exhibition »Zwei deutsche Architekturen – Architektur in der DDR und der BRD« by Institute for International Cultural Relations at the Kunstmuseen Erfurt/Galerie Waidspeicher (Art Museums Erfurt/Galerie Waidspeicher)
26. July to 13. September 2020
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6 pm
Kunstmuseen Erfurt/Galerie Waidspeicher
im Kulturhof zum Güldenen Krönbacken, Front Building
Michaelisstrasse 10, 99084, Erfurt, Germany
Panel discussion »DDR-Architektur und Partizipation. Denkmal weiterdenken«
Featuring Dr Ulrike Wendland (German Cultural Heritage Committee), Dr Tobias J. Knoblich (Deputy for Culture and Urban Development of the State Capital Erfurt) and others, presented by: Dr Mark Escherich, M.Eng. (State Capital Erfurt/Bauhaus-Universität Weimar)
Thursday, 10. September 2020 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
Kunstmuseen Erfurt/Galerie Waidspeicher
im Kulturhof zum Güldenen Krönbacken, Front Building
Michaelisstrasse 10, 99084, Erfurt, Germany
The panel discussion picks up this year's Open Monument Day motto: »Chance Denkmal: Erinnern. Erhalten. Neu denken«
Contact:
Faculty of Architecture and Urban Studies Research Associate in the department of Conservation and History of Architecture, Mark Escherich Email: mark.escherich@uni-weimar.de