EAST WEST EAST ꟾ Berlin’s Postwar Modernism

Created in the context of opposing political systems, these central planning projects reflect contrasting ideological visions. Today, these areas are recognized as shared cultural heritage.


The exhibition, part of the “Kulturbahnhöfe” (Culture Stations) initiative, is funded by PMO (Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media) and is presented at the Schillingstraße and Weberwiese U-Bahn stations along the U5 line. A continuation is planned at Hansaplatz station in the future.

The exhibition unfolds across three levels, exploring how Berlin's cityscape, ideologies, and everyday life evolved and transformed after the war:

City Level: A digital history walk invites visitors to explore the Karl-Marx-Allee. QR codes at U-Bahn entrances link to the stories of 24 buildings between Alexanderplatz and Frankfurter Tor, making the history of the boulevard come alive.

Mezzanine Level: This part of the exhibition tells the story of life along Karl-Marx-Allee—focusing on housing, the visions of urban planners, and the political context. Archival photographs and quotes bring the everyday reality of the postwar period to life. The ideological competition over Berlin’s reconstruction is also addressed here.

Platform Level: Large-format photographs present the architecture of Karl-Marx-Allee in a new light. A series of images displayed across 18 trackside panels reveals the boulevard’s buildings in diverse perspectives—from wide-angle city views to lively urban scenes and artistic close-ups.

Local associations are also featured, offering insights into their cultural engagement within the neighborhoods.

In this way, the two U-Bahn stations along the U5 become spaces for information and dialogue—providing an accessible entry point into the architectural heritage of both East and West Berlin.

• Exhibition ‘OST WEST OST - Berlin Post-War Modernism’: from Wednesday, 22 October 2025, at the Schillingstraße and Weberwiese underground stations (U5).
  
• Dauerausstellung
  

As part of the exhibition experience, QR codes directing visitors to a digital history walk are placed at the station entrances (Schillingstraße and Weberwiese). This (admittedly smaller) part of the exhibition is therefore available around the clock.

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