The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt

A group of seven people of different ages stand and sit in an interior room in front of open windows. They look and smile at each other. Green branches grow through the windows into the room. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
*Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt

Patrons: Heike Gunkel, Pedro Gunkel, Anne Krapp, Sven Quenzel, Al Titzki, Andrea Titzki, Thomas Zimmermann

Commission: We want a connecting element for the history and future of our city. This can be a new place, an occasion for gatherings, time spent together, or joint action.

Mediator: Lea Schleiffenbaum

Artist: Lina Lapelytė

Duration: 2024 ongoing

Program: Citizen-Commissioned Dance and Performance

Partners: Kulturstiftung des Bundes (German Federal Cultural Foundation)

Eisenhüttenstadt is a fascinating place—many visitors come for a day to admire the impressive architecture of this socialist model city and to immerse themselves in the history and aesthetics of the former GDR. Nostalgia thrives here. But Eisenhüttenstadt is more than a preserved monument. The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt believe that for those who live here, daily life requires not just a look into the past but, above all, a bridge to the future—one that makes staying worthwhile.

“What good are all the symposia with people from outside if they then just leave again?”

From the commission

Glass pavilion with golden frame and projecting roof in front of a Plattenbau building. "Stahl-Hütte" is written in red letters above the glass front of the pavilion. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
City view *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

Street junction with a five-storey Plattenbau building with the lettering "City Hotel Lunik". The plaster on the façade is peeling off over a large area. A woman with a walking frame crosses the intersection in front of a red bus. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
City View *Foto: Victoria Tomaschko*

Three people walk on a street towards residential buildings of socialist-classicist architecture. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
City View *Foto: Victoria Tomaschko*

Eisenhüttenstadt was built in the early 1950s around the newly constructed Eisenhüttenkombinat Ost steelworks. The town was intended to meet all the demands of everyday working life and was a showcase urban development project for the GDR. The residential complexes offered a department store, kindergarten, school, supermarket, newspaper kiosk, cultural center or youth club and sports and leisure facilities. The layout and structure encouraged togetherness and easy accessibility.

“I want to go out again spontaneously in the evening and meet people there.”

From the commission

A patron in a checked shirt and the mediator sit opposite each other at a bar table. The patron is holding a pen in his hand. Punk music record covers and posters hang on the wall in the background. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
Patron Thomas Zimmermann signs the commission *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

A woman with short blonde hair sits on a blue bench in front of a blue wall and looks into the camera. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
Patron Heike Gunkel *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

A man signs a paper on a wooden table — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
New Patron Sven Quenzel signing the commission *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

Today, less than 25,000 people live in the city that was once planned for 100,000 inhabitants. Many of them have borne the brunt of the major changes brought about by the fall of communism and are once again confronted with the current crises and challenges. Some are tired of dealing with ever-increasing change and are withdrawing into their private lives. Others – people with ideas and visions for the city – are often confronted with a lack of understanding, disinterest or bureaucratic hurdles. Trust and the joy of opportunities to help shape the city are dwindling in a place that was once built with and by the hands of the population. Many residents share a feeling of the devaluation and musealization of past achievements with other people in East Germany.

The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt aim to raise awareness of both the urban and human achievements that, in their view, have shaped the city. They seek to bring back into focus what was once well-conceived and well-utilized, in order to work across generations on visions for the future—so that their city can function and grow once again.

"What we need here is a completely new mindset."

From the commission

Five people are sitting at a table in an interior room. One person is standing at the head of the table holding a sheet of paper. On the table are a champagne bottle and champagne glasses as well as several sheets of paper. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
The patrons discuss their commission with mediator Lea Schleiffenbaum. *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

A man in a blue shirt and blue trousers sits on a blue plastic bench in front of a blue indoor wall. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
Pedro Gunkel, patron *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

Two women are sitting next to each other at a table. They are looking in the same direction and laughing. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
New Patrons Andrea Titzki and Heike Gunkel *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

A woman with short dark hair rests her chin on her hand and looks attentively to the left. In front of her is a champagne bottle and a champagne glass. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
Anne Krapp, Patron *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

A person with glasses sits in front of a blue wall, looking straight into the camera. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
Al Titzki, Patron *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

Mediator Lea Schleiffenbaum’s suggestion to commission artist Lina Lapelytė for the project quickly resonates with the group. After a personal meeting, the group decides to commission Lina Lapelytė—and the artist has now started her working with the group.

The internationally renowned artist, who lives in London and Vilnius, combines music and performance with social issues in her work. Her pieces often explore everyday life while also addressing nostalgia and the role of the individual within a community. She has a unique ability to translate complex themes into powerful, accessible experiences. Lina Lapelytė's works engage trained and untrained performers. Her works span a wide range of performative and musical genres. They are often centered around collective singing combined with intricate choreography and functional architecture, with location and site specificity playing an important role.

“I am excited to work with the New Patrons as it allows art to meet the audience before it happens.”

Lina Lapelytė

Three people are sitting at a table with drinks in a dark bar room. All three are looking in the same direction and laughing. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
Site visit of artist Lina Lapelytė (middle) in Eisenhüttenstadt *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

Five people in thick winter clothing bend over a bronze miniature cityscape. One person points a finger at the bronze and explains something. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
Site visit of artist Lina Lapelytė (2nd f.r.) in Eisenhüttenstadt *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

In 2019, Lina Lapelytė won the Golden Lion at the Biennale di Venezia for Sun & Sea (Marina). This opera about climate change and human responsibility, created in collaboration with Rugilė Barzdžiukaitė and Vaiva Grainytė, received international acclaim. Her works have been presented at prestigious institutions and festivals, including BAM – Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York, Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection in Paris, Haus der Kunst in Munich, Serpentine in London, Singapore International Festival of Arts, Baltic Triennial in Tallinn, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, and Wiener Festwochen.

Upcoming projects include, amongst others, a performance at Schirn Kunsthalle Frankfurt (March 2025), a solo show at The Cosmic House in London and a performance at TR Warszawa in Warsaw (both April 2025), an artist fellowship at The Watermill Center in New York (July/August 2025) and a contribution to Performa Biennial in New York (November 2025).

Seven people are standing next to each other outside a building. It is snowing and they are wearing thick winter clothing. The person in the middle is hunching his shoulders because of the driving snow. Everyone is laughing. — The New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt
Patrons with artist Lina Lapelytė (left) and Mediator Lea Schleiffenbaum (2nd f.r.) in Eisenhüttenstadt *Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*

The patrons are less concerned with a lasting transformation of the city's exterior—they primarily want to inspire change within the people who live there, in their perceptions and experiences. New places could emerge, new occasions for gatherings or shared time, new forms of collective action. The hope is that Lina Lapelytė will bring fresh impulses to Eisenhüttenstadt and strengthen the connection between art, community, and regional culture.

The former ambition of an "ideal city" once created false expectations in Eisenhüttenstadt. What the New Patrons of Eisenhüttenstadt strive for instead is a vibrant, real city—without nostalgic sentimentality, but with deep respect for what makes this place unique.

“The work lends itself to being shaped by the process and to understanding the current issues communities are dealing with. How do we put our visions together? This is exactly what we need in the current times!”

Lina Lapelytė

A green garden hedge with a weathered sign on the right edge of the picture that reads: Go no further, come back. — Eisenhüttenstadt
*Photo: Victoria Tomaschko*