Charlotte Pfeffer School

KULISSE responds to a mural from the GDR era located in the foyer, the title and artist of which are unknown. KULISSE combines figurative and abstract motifs. It takes elements of the mosaic’s more abstract motifs—which are open to free interpretation—and reassembles them into new images. The condensation and superimposition of the quoted image fragments open up new possibilities for association and interpretation. The pleasure of discovering the recurring image fragments allows for a playful comparison between the two visual works. This creates a dialogue between the artistic snapshots of two generations and different political systems.

KULISSE is an installation comprising individual, transparent panels that move back and forth within the frame of the wall opening. The coloured motifs on the glass panels reference sections of the mosaic and, in their colour scheme, allude to the palette of the original. All the panels are in continuous, slow motion. As they move, the scenes change: individual motifs overlap, creating new forms and shades of colour. The calm, steady rhythm of the movement and the random composition of the motifs form a fleeting counterpart to the historical wall mosaic. (Source: Explanatory report on the competition entry KULISSE)

The artists’ collective
The artists’ group msk7 is a collective that realises temporary events in public spaces as well as art-in-architecture projects. msk7 consists of Mona Babl, Kati Gausmann, Ricarda Mieth and Anja Sonnenburg.

Following the closure of Berolina Secondary School in the 2010/2011 academic year, the school premises at Berolinastraße 8 in Berlin-Mitte were reused by a school specialising in special educational needs with a focus on ‘intellectual development’. The school’s catchment area covers the entire Berlin-Mitte district. The pupils therefore come from a wide area. Currently, 11 classes comprising 86 pupils are housed in temporary premises.

In connection with the refurbishment work at the Charlotte-Pfeffer-Schule, the Mitte District Office in Berlin, acting on instructions from the Building Department, launched a single-stage, restricted and anonymous art-in-public-spaces competition. A total of up to €75,500 was made available for the realisation of the art project. This includes all costs for fees, management, materials and production, including all ancillary costs.