Berlin Wonderland
Wild Years Revisited 1990–1996
Berlin Wonderland
Wild Years Revisited 1990–1996
Photos by
Ben de Biel
Hendrik Rauch
Philipp von Recklinghausen
Stefan Schilling
Hilmar Schmundt
Andreas Trogisch
Rolf Zöllner
Published by
Anke Fesel und Chris Keller
musuku
Museum der Subkulturen
Preface
David Wagner
Hardcover, 224 pages
bilingual: German/English
Price: 38 Euro + Shipping
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Shortly after the Wall came down, subculture blossomed in the middle of Berlin. Featuring previously unknown images and commentary from key protagonists, this volume brings back to life an almost forgotten era while showing how Berlin’s Wonderland years made the city what it is today.
»No man’s land, creative space – for anyone wanting to understand the wild side of Berlin after the fall of the Wall, this unique photobook full of discoveries is essential.«
Felix Denk, Author of »Der Klang der Familie«
»From the moment the border opened, people came together here who shared a common spirit. It didn’t matter where you were from. People hadn’t come just from East or West Germany, but from all over the world.«
Inés Burdow
»We were in a realm of possibilities where dreams could come true. Each day was a fresh adventure. We were possessed by the collective urge to create something new. We encouraged, inspired and challenged each other. For a brief and precious moment, different rules applied.«
Jochen Sandig
»There is a quotation – I believe it actually refers to the Spanish Civil War – to the effect that anyone who stares hope in the face can never subsequently forget it. That person will search the entire world for more traces until they die. This applies exactly to the feeling I had back then. It changes you fundamentally, it changes how you think, it changes how you see the world. This is something it shares with great art. If you experience truly great art, your life is transformed forever. Those times had a similar effect. There was no going back to everyday life. It was like an LSD trip that flips your consciousness upside down.«
Brad Hwang
Fotografen
↣ Ben de Biel
moved to Berlin in 1990. He was a co-founder of the »Ständige Vertretung« nightclub in »Tacheles«, a member of the experimental electro band »Elektronauten« and part of the »IM Eimer« collective. In 1998 he founded the club »Maria am Ostbahnhof«. He lives and works as an independent photographer in Berlinand the Uckermark.
↣ Hendrik Rauch
came to Berlin in 1990, where he completed his training as a photographer at the Lette-Verein in 1992. He photographed for the district newspaper »scheinschlag« and was a co-founder of the zff – Center for Photography. He has also worked as a photo editor since 1999 – first at the Berliner Zeitung and later at the Handelsblatt, where he was head of the photo editorial department until June 2011. Since 2011, he has headed the photo editorial department of the business magazine »enorm« and is once again photographing intensively.
↣ Philipp von Recklinghausen
came to West Berlin in 1989 and completed an apprenticeship as a photographer at the Lette-Verein until 1991. He photographed for the district newspaper »scheinschlag« and in 1993 was the only photographer in Srebrenica and received several awards for the pictures he took there. From 1993 to 1995 he was a member of the agency »Ostkreuz« and then co-founded lux fotografen. He lives and works as a freelance photographer in Berlin.
↣ Stefan Schilling
became acquainted with »Tacheles« in 1990 and moved from Dresden to Berlin in 1991. The self-taught artist continued his artistic activities at the »Tacheles« art house and was, among other things, the initiator of the »Malaktionsgruppe Tacheles«, which realized numerous actions and exhibitions in Berlin and beyond. He still draws, paints, prints, films and photographs in Berlin today and also works as a lecturer for graphic computer programs.
↣ Hilmar Schmundt
originally wanted to become a photographer and began his career in 1991 from a squat in Berlin. He actually got off to a good start when he took a self-portrait while bungee jumping with a camera held in his hand at the end of a long Plexiglas pole. On subsequent newspaper assignments, he was soon told: »You’d better concentrate on writing, we’ll send a photographer with you.« Today he works as a journalist and author.
↣ Andreas Trogisch
was born in Riesa in 1959. He began taking photographs in 1982 and began studying at the Berlin-Schöneweide College of Advertising and Design in 1984, graduating as a graphic designer in 1989. In 1989, he co-founded the graphic design studio »grappa«, which changed its name to »blotto Design« in 2001 and has continued under the name »troppo« since 2014. In 2010/11 he published the photo book series »Desiderata« with Peperoni Books. He lives and works as a graphic designer and photographer in Berlin.
worked as an electrician on large construction sites in the GDR and from 1978 to 1987 in an institute in Marzahn. From 1984 he took part in the photo circle of the Kreiskulturhaus Prater in Prenzlauer Berg and worked as a freelance film photographer for GDR television from 1988 until the fall of communism. Since reunification, he has worked as a freelance photographer for numerous newspapers and magazines and has published his work in various books.