Europäischer Monat der Fotografie Berlin - Artists (in alphabetic order)

Palast Schaustelle [Palace Displayed]

berg19 raum für fotografie

Christian von Steffelin: o.T.
2008 © Christian von Steffelin
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In long-term studies Christian von Steffelin documents places that are in the process of disappearing. With particular intensity he has concerned himself with the Palace of the Republic, the former center of power of East Germany, whose transformation and dismantling he has documented for more than 15 years.

Christian von Steffelin investigates the nature of transience. He tries to get a handle on what is disappearing and falling into oblivion by approaching a place time and again and under various circumstances. This is how, in the case of the Palace of the Republic, an enormous number of photographs were taken, from the slow demolition of the building to the many people who observed it. A construction worker solders steel beams into pieces. A couple views the destruction from the distance while a group of small children puts up a save the palace¹ sign. Apart from a documentary retaining of history, Christian von Steffelin is concerned with capturing the special and diverse atmosphere that a place such as this exudes.