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

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?”

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.”

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 want to work with an artist to create impulses that awaken a positive awareness of the urban development achievements, testify to their raison d'être and make them fit for the future. They want to find cross-generational visions for the future for what was once well thought out and used – so that their city can function and grow.

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

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*

The Patrons are less interested in bringing about lasting change on the outside of the city – they are primarily interested in making a difference on the inside of the local people, in their perception. With an artistic work – for example a new place, an occasion for meetings, time spent together or a joint action – they want to initiate new ideas and energies for co-design. The earlier claim of an "ideal city" has given rise to many false expectations. What they want is a lively real city. Without a nostalgic mood, but with respect for what makes this city what it is.

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*