In heritage preservation, “Denkmalverdacht” refers to the suspicion that a building, an archaeological find, or a piece of nature may be worth protecting. When there’s a suspicion of monuments, it is further investigated, examined, and evaluated to determine if it is actually worthy of being preserved. In our time, “Denkmalverdacht” carries a completely different connotation. Because in many places, often for good reasons, monuments are “under suspicion.” They are discussed so heatedly like never before: Are these mostly proverbially chiseled in stone, long-term monuments still relevant? Do they not often testify to times and people with whom we can only engage critically? Who or what is actually being honored here? And do we even need monuments anymore? If so, for what purpose, and if not, then what? We want to delve into these questions – with a keen eye on the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district and from as many different perspectives as possible.
Instructions for use
This set contains 60 cards about the identified monuments in the Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg district. Each card displays an image of a monument, taken in May 2021, and provides its location, the relevant artists, the year of installation, and basic background information.
Purpose and intent
The cards serve as a starting point for walks within the project and beyond. Their goal is not exhaustive information but rather to stimulate discussion. The order is based on the location in the district, from northwest to southeast, and deliberately avoids thematic sorting. The open format of the collection cards is designed to create your own sequences and compilations. Let’s get started!
Evaluations
Can one assess a monument? And how? It is certainly not easy, but the attempt can be fruitful – not as the final conclusion but as an impetus for positioning. The cards offer two linked forms for this purpose: Each one allows the assessment of a monument based on “Form” and “Content.” The scale ranges from 1 (weak!) to 5 (excellent!). “Form” and “Content” are by no means the only or definitive criteria for examination. What other criteria are there? Special cards at the end of the set invite you to rank the visited monuments. What are your favorites? Which ones do not appeal to you at all? And how do others perceive what they have seen?