Recall the iconic image of a divided city. That’s what the Baum Sculpture is about. Right here on Tauentzienstraße stands a powerful symbol of Berlin’s past.
The Baum Sculpture is not just metal and concrete. It is a reminder of a divided city. It’s a testament to Berlin’s resilience.
Brigitte Matschinsky-Denninghoff and Martin Matschinsky, a husband-and-wife team, conceived this artwork in 1985. The Baum Sculpture was unveiled in 1987. It marked Berlin’s 750th anniversary.
The sculpture’s principal motif is a “broken chain.” This chain symbolized the severed connections between West and East Berlin. This division was caused by the Berlin Wall’s construction.
After the Wall fell, the city bought the Baum Sculpture. It became a permanent memorial. It commemorates this pivotal period in German history.
The Baum Sculpture was one of eight sculptures displayed during “Skulpturenboulevard Kurfürstendamm.” This event was commissioned to celebrate Berlin’s anniversary. Of these sculptures, only three remained after the anniversary year. The Baum Sculpture was one of them. The city and Deutsche Bank later acquired it.
The artists had free rein in choosing the location. The Matschinsky-Denninghoffs selected Tauentzienstraße. The location is in front of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. This church was heavily damaged during World War II.
The Baum Sculpture features four steel tubes extending upwards. Each tube is about two meters in diameter. They are reinforced with concrete.
The ends of the tubes tilt and loop. They never touch. This design symbolizes the closeness and isolation between East and West Berlin. The tubes are covered in chrome nickel steel. The surface changes with the light.
Brigitte Matschinsky-Denninghoff described the sculpture’s impact. She emphasized the West-East and East-West directions. The Baum Sculpture acts as a large, organic gate. It is a double arch. It invigorates and emphasizes Berlin’s situation.
Take a moment to walk around the Baum Sculpture. Consider its message. Think about Berlin’s journey from division to reunification. It is a story etched in steel. It is a story of hope.