Concept
WANDLUNG is an installation that uniquely reflects the character and historical significance of the Bundestag building on Neustädtische Kirchstraße. Positioned within the L2 atrium’s exposed concrete, the installation features a negative relief in the form of a double flag suspended between two opposing masts. This aesthetic design, integrated directly into the architecture, evokes a sense of something now absent, drawing inspiration from fossil-like imprints. The relief visually bridges the interior and exterior, referencing the building’s historical facade, marked by bullet holes as reminders of its past. WANDLUNG thereby serves as a symbolic link between past and present, encouraging reflection on transformation and continuity.
The installation’s placement aims to interact dynamically with the staircase, creating a visual dialogue as viewers ascend or descend. As the relief is visible only in fragments depending on one’s vantage point, viewers must experience it in motion to fully grasp its form, making the artwork an interactive element within the building. This shifting visibility emphasizes the theme of change and invites contemplation, presenting the relief as a “snapshot” of a dynamic state on the cusp of transformation. The abstract, seemingly absent form captures a moment of suspended tension, resonating with the historical weight and contemporary relevance of the space.
Technical Execution
The WANDLUNG installation will be cast as a negative relief into the exposed concrete wall within the L2 atrium, extending 2.75 meters in height and 16.5 meters in length with a maximum depth of 8 cm. Fabricated from precast gypsum mold sections, the positive model is first created in plaster and wood based on a high-resolution digital scan of a polymer model at 1:10 scale. This positive form is then used to construct the gypsum mold sections, which will be integrated into the concrete formwork and subsequently washed out after casting. The resulting relief will meet the high finish standards of SB 2 exposed concrete, achieving a seamless union with the architectural surface.
The installation will also include accent lighting, coordinated with the building’s overall lighting plan, to highlight the plasticity of the relief, particularly in low daylight. No ongoing maintenance costs beyond routine building cleaning are anticipated, as the cast concrete relief is durable and fire-safe. The production process will require a minimum of 16 weeks for mold preparation and gypsum casting, coordinated closely with the construction schedule to ensure the installation is seamlessly integrated into the architectural design.
