Profitopolis

Under the title "Profitopolis or the State of the City", the close connection between the development of the modern city and the German Werkbund is addressed. From the New Building of the 1920s to international architecture exhibitions and debates about historicizing and industrial construction, the exhibition gives an overview of urban development and its interactions with the work of the Werkbund.

Two "Profitopolis" exhibitions from the 1970s, which were created in the context of the Werkbund, are particularly highlighted. These show that urban design always has a political dimension. They call for citizens' initiatives and criticize topics such as land speculation, the car-friendly city and the disrespectful treatment of historical buildings and urban nature.

The relevance of this criticism becomes clear when we take a critical look at the urban space between the old and new museum locations. The exhibition invites you to take a stroll between Kottbusser Tor and Spittelmarkt and sheds light on current discourses, initiatives and artistic positions on urban development.

Historical and contemporary objects, documents and materials from urban initiatives are presented. The show is complemented by artistic works by Daniela Brahm, Mirja Busch, Martin Kaltwasser, Wenke Seemann, Tracey Snelling, ufo ufo - urban fragment observatory and the Center for Art and Urban Studies (ZK/U).

The exhibition is taking place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Werkbundarchiv - Museum der Dinge and is sponsored by the Capital Cultural Fund.