Erziehung, Auftragskunst, ästhetischer Wille? Der DDR-Kunstbestand an der Humboldt-Universität

Humboldt-Universität has a rich collection of valuable art treasures. The collection also contains many works from the GDR era, on whose soil the HU stood from 1949 to 1990. In many cases, however, their origin and provenance is unclear.

In the summer semester of 2024, students took part in a seminar on works from the GDR era. They researched object histories in archives and expert discussions, looked at the building history of the HU and researched artistic teaching at the university.

From October 14 to 27, the results of the student research project can be viewed in the Humboldt Labor. The intervention Education, commissioned art, aesthetic will? The GDR art collection at the HU shows numerous original objects and some reproductions. These include commissioned works such as portraits of the Humboldt brothers; works inspired by socialist ideas such as Heinrich Tessmer's tryptich Stations; a mural from the early phase of the GDR, which came to light a few years ago behind wooden paneling; and student works from art education from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Curation and realization: Bastian Herbst, Dr. Christina Kuhli

Research and texts: Deborah-Estelle Barczewski, Lili Milla Böhme, Elena Dietrich, Luise Gottschalk, Anna Leonie Grimm, Olesja Haag, Chris Herrmann, Anatoli-Maria Kalantzi, Nina Kehr, Marte Küster, Lukas Laucke, Carnival Lommatzsch, Lena-Sophie Meiling, Yannick Prager, Stefan Sgrai

Design: Julia Neller

- free of charge
- Seminar room behind the Humboldt Lab, 1st floor
- from 14 years
- Language: German
- Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun: 10:30 - 18:30; Tue: closed