The interior of the Neue Wache has
undergone a series of reforms since it was originally designed by Karl
Friedrich Schinkel. It was built from 1815-1818 as a military garrison and
guardhouse. Heinrich Tessesnow later on redesigned it as a memorial for those
who had fallen victim during World War One. Post World War Two it served as a memorial
to those who had fallen victim to Fascism and Militarism by East Berlin. To
this present day it stands as a Central Memorial of the Federal Republic of Germany
for the Victims of War and Tyranny. Within the center of the memorial a statue
built by an artist named Käthe Kollwitz of a mother holding her dead son. This
statue has sparked controversy as it has been blown up five times the amount of
the original statue thus the people of Berlin feel as though the meaning is
taken away.
7 comments:
It is interesting that people always find something to be upset/concerned about. Do you think that the statue looses some of its effect when blown up that size?
I do think it does. I think that the symbolism is taken away as it is not the original size. I also don't understand how it can be a memorial for other victims who were not involved in the military if it is of a mother and a soldier.
I think that even though the statue is not the original proportions the statute works for the setting of the Neue Wache. It would've been interesting to see what kind of statue would have been erected if a statue would've been designed specifically for the site as opposed to chosing the mother and child statue.
I think once I knew the history I had the same feeling as you Emily. It seemed weird that a WWI solider memorial would be put there to represent all of the victims. However, before I knew I thought that the statue was very moving... and since most people probably don't know the history maybe it is sutiable.
That's true Jennifer! It may have been for just the idea, however since the New Guardhouse has gone through so many different symbolizations within history, I think that that also takes away some of the meaning it holds to this day. Since it wasn't built originally for victims of War and Tyranny I find it hard to really feel a connection to the past.
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