Friday, May 15, 2015

Changes to Potsdamer Platz



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:

Emily Pletz said...

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?

Unknown said...

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.

Emily Pletz said...

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.