Sculpted in timeless Muschelkalk, the Stehender Jüngling stands before you. He’s a life-sized study in stillness. The Stehender Jüngling, a young man, naked and erect, his head slightly bowed, one foot subtly forward. Outwardly stiff, silent, and unmoving, the Stehender Jüngling seems to hold a storm within. He’s anchored to his spot by a plinth, which sits upon a flat base made of the same granite as the surrounding steps. A small metal plaque is screwed onto the plinth. It tells you the name and dates of the artist, Lidy von Lütteritz (1902-1996), as well as the title and the year of creation, 1953/1954. The Stehender Jüngling was installed in 1954, alongside the new main entrance of the Reinickendorf Town Hall. This town hall had just undergone a major expansion between 1950 and 1955. This large addition, built in three phases, was designed by the Reinickendorf Building Department. It connected to the original 1911 building. Before the expansion, a large town square was created. It boasts a fountain, trees, and benches, and provides access to the new main entrance. So, the Stehender Jüngling has quietly witnessed the comings and goings of the town hall since its modern reinvention. He stands as a stark, yet subtle, artistic statement amidst the official bustle. He’s a quiet observer in the heart of civic life.
Genossenschaft PA58
From 1981 the Genossenschaft PA58 stands tall. It’s a self-managed house project. This is its story. This impressive building in