Art in construction or even: placemaking for BER

Different formats — one direction

Art does something for people. It can influence our perception, transform places, and inspire us to communicate. But which art is suitable for this?

As early as 2011, REALACE had dusted off the dusty image of “art in construction” and used a remarkable selection of contemporary artists for Berlin Brandenburg Airport who dedicated themselves to the theme of “land/air.” It has now been opened and the result is finally visible to visitors — as the only art in the building concept in the world, it features a density of renowned artists in one place.

Times of change force us to reconsider what we take for granted. How will the current social climate affect the way we perceive, produce and experience culture and art in the coming times? How can places be rethought and how do you give them identity and authenticity? The REALACE team answered these questions from a placemaking perspective and with a concept that has never existed before

The aim was to create a narrative through a carefree use of “utilitarian art” in public space, to revive the shape of the building. With a firm focus on the atmosphere and function of the place, daring breaks and skilful combinations have succeeded in illustrating what art in construction can contribute to: reflecting not only a place, but also its various visitors, human needs and fantasies.

An essential part of the selection of works: turning viewers into participants! Installations by Olaf Nicolai, Matt Mullican and Pae White not only merge with minimalist architecture and give the otherwise strict geometry of the building a playful lightness — they stimulate the senses and distract from the turbulent atmosphere. Coins from the artist collective STÖBO set in the ground force the viewer to their knees and you pause for moments. On hold is the work of Norwegian Bjørn Melhus. In the hustle and bustle of the airport, his socio-critical virtual reality installation would have addressed the permanent life between worlds, between home and far. Letting the artist launch the 2020-compliant “update” of his installation is the only thing that was postponed once again as part of the opening. It would be the first “art in construction” work that would be implemented in a transient, purely virtual form.

In a place of speed, the works of various genres force us to slow down, to reflect, integrate the outside into the interior and at the same time draw attention beyond its function.

Art that is approachable and not museum-like, inviting instead of abstract.

With this concept, which is unique in the world for an airport, REALACE is opening a new chapter in the genre of “art in construction” and moving it towards “art for”.

All images shown in this article were created as part of the “Kunst am BER” project and in close collaboration between REALACE and photographer Andreas Gehrke (noshe.com).