Two figures embrace. They stand before you the Schwarz-Weisses Paar. This sculpture isn’t just art. It’s a story etched in steel and granite.
Created by Jan Skuin in 1994 the Schwarz-Weisses Paar is more than just two figures. It’s a powerful statement. The sculpture depicts two people tightly embracing. Their bodies are represented by tall metal stelae. These are set close together. The heads are rounded at the top. The shoulders are formed by the rounded corners of the stelae. Straight metal strips cross over each other forming arms. The figures are nearly identical. Only their color differs. One is dark gray. The other is light gray. The piece is mostly symmetrical. It’s slightly off-center on its granite base. An inscription at the base identifies the artist and the year.
Skuin’s words offer insight. At its unveiling he said “In a multicultural society such as we aspire to people will have to share their joys and sorrows”. This transcends the visual. The Schwarz-Weisses Paar becomes a symbol of unity. It’s especially poignant given Skuin’s frequent exploration of the theme of “farewell”. The sculpture’s location near a train station amplifies this. It symbolizes the departures and arrivals in life.
The Schwarz-Weisses Paar wasn’t just placed here. The placement was deliberate. The sculpture stands in a plaza. This plaza was created when a pedestrian zone was built. The initiative came from the Treptow-Köpenick district office. The district purchased the sculpture. They aimed to promote local artists like Skuin. An exhibition of Skuin’s works was held in Treptow’s town hall in January 1995. The Schwarz-Weisses Paar was unveiled in September 1995.
More than just a pleasing view the Schwarz-Weisses Paar is a powerful emblem. It speaks of shared experiences and the human condition. It’s a silent testament to the artist’s vision. It also embodies the spirit of a city that has known both division and unity. As you stand before it let the message resonate. Let it remind you of the strength found in togetherness.