The first reference to the past in Potsdamer Platz would be the
sections of the Berlin Wall standing where the wall actually was. As we have
discussed many times this references the wall that was in place separating East
and West Germany for 28 years. Another reference would be the traffic light
replica. This makes reference to a time between the World Wars when Potsdamer
Platz was the central transportation hub in Berlin. Keeping with transportation,
there are two S-Bahn towers that sit on either side of Postdamer Str. These
represent the former Postam gate that was built by Schinkel which led to
Potsdam, this was destroyed during World War II. A large change to Potsdamer
Platz was the changing of the street called Alte Potsdamer Str. This street
used to be a lot longer before the war and is now a short street that becomes a
bit of dead end as there is a theatre and a casino. Where this building is
there is a square called Marlene-Dietrich-Platz. This is named after an
actress/singer from Berlin named Marlene Dietrich. She left Germany soon after
the Nazi party came to power as she did not believe In their ideas. She was in London
just before the beginning of the war and turned down offers from the Nazis to
come back and star in films. There was much controversy by the people over
naming this square after her as they felt she betrayed the country by leaving. There
are many other examples of changes that can be seen in Potsdamer Platz, these
are only just a few.
3 comments:
What are your thoughts on the gum that people put on the remains of the wall? Do you think that it is artistic or offensive?
To be honest I think it's disgusting, in one way it could be considered vandalism. But so is graffiti and that is what is on the wall in the first place so I guess take it as you will.
I agree. I think the idea of graffiti itself is artistic as it is something that holds meaning to the wall. Gum is a bit over-doing it in my opinion.
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