There
are quite a few things in Potsdam Platz that make reference to the past. These
are just a few of them:
1)
Marlene Dietrich Platz – Marlene
Dietrich was a German actress born in Berlin. She is said to have been the
first German actress to really make it Hollywood. Born in 1901, she started her
German film career in 1921 with the film So sind die Männer. Eventually in 1930
she moved to the US on contract with Paramount Studios. Before the war, Marlene
was asked by the Nazis to return to Germany, she however had always been
strongly opposed to Nazi ideology so declined. In 1939 she became a US citizen
and used her talents to raise money for the war. In fact, she was rewarded an
American Medal of Freedom for her war
work. Although she never returned to Berlin to live, she did visit and was
buried there in 1992. She was made an honorary citizen of Berlin on May 16,
2002.
3)
Weinhaus Huth - The only surviving
original pre World War II building left in Potsdamer Platz. It was built in
1912 originally housing the capital's best wine merchant on the lowest level,
and a luxury restaurant above. Since 1998 it has been home again to a
restaurant expect this time on the main floor, with the Daimler Contemporary
gallery now above it. The outside of the building has clearly been restored and
maintained over the years, as it doesn’t look run down. However, the buildings
surrounding it give away its age.
4)
Berlin Wall – Pieces of the wall are visible in two places in Potsdamer
Platz, running along the cobblestone line there to show where the city was
divided 28 years ago. These are clearly there to make reference to the divided
city that Berlin used to be and maybe even to the division that remains in some
people’s minds. Strangely enough, on the one section, people have decided to
cover the wall with gum… and it looks as gross as it sounds.
5) Old Traffic Light – This is a
monument/replica of the first street light (although some debate this) in
Europe. Although I am not entirely sure that it is still used, it is fully
operational and pays homage to the busy downtown area that Potsdamer Platz once
was and is on it was to being again.
Hauser, Evelyn. "Dietrich,
Marlene." Contemporary Musicians. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 15, 2015). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3494300022.html
8 comments:
I like the information you have provided for each of these; it gives the reader good background information that might not necessarily be obvious by just looking at these items. Also, nice pictures!
I like that you mentioned the gross gum covered section of the wall. I searched the internet in hopes of finding a reason for this, but I could not find an explanation. Ick
I found it interesting that the identical S-Bahn Towers were built to honour Shinkel's original gate into the city of Potsdam. I would argue that two green S-Bahn towers would not accurately honour Shinkel since most people would not know their significance. Do you think these towers do in fact honour his original gate of the city?
Brooklyn, I believe Dr. Bredohl mentioned when we were there that that was one of the reasons for the dual towers.
Taya I also looked for an explanation and couldn't find anything, except that I think they tried to clean it once before and it happened again so they left it.
Brooklyn, I think the sentiment was nice... although really there are so many remnants of him around the city that it is hardly necessay... but honestly I doubt anyone even realizes that is what it is for. Also it is incredible abstract.
Yes Vince I remember Dr. Bredohl mentioning that, however when I looked towards the towers I couldn't help but wonder, "how many people actually realize that these S-Bahn towers are meant to honour Shinkel's original gate?". In my opinion, two green, simple S-Bahn towers hardly honour such an important figure as Shinkel but then again, others may disagree!
I feel like very few actually realize it, but very few people seem to realize there is a memorial even when they are standing on one. I think that is just something that happens with time, whether or not it is a good thing I'm not 100% sure.
I feel like even if a replica of the oginal gate was made and a huge plaque was put on it, many people (besides tourists) would, over time, forgot its significance and not bother to really look at it .
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