Doesn’t it make you wonder about the story behind this sturdy figure? This is the Bauarbeiter Skulptur, a lasting reminder of East Berlin’s past. It stands as a symbol of a bygone era.
The Stehende Statue is commonly known as the Bauarbeiter Skulptur. Some even call it Goldfinger. It earned this nickname from its golden left index finger. People have rubbed it so much over the years.
Gerhard Thieme created the Stehende Statue. The East Berlin Magistrate commissioned it. It was cast in 1968. The Stehende Statue stands roughly four meters high. You can find the bronze Bauarbeiter Skulptur near Karl-Liebknecht-Strasse and Hirtenstrasse.
Walter Ulbricht used to pass by here. He likely cast a pleased glance at this worker. The statue stands surrounded by low ash trees.
But what does it all mean? Some see it as a joke. They say the raised hand orders three beers. Others believe it points toward the TV tower. Still others think it swears allegiance to Socialism.
The sculptor Gerhard Thieme created diverse works. He also made a relief of Moses Mendelssohn. You can see it on Grosse Hamburger Strasse. Thieme’s work shows the philosopher’s sharp mind. In the Nikolai quarter, you can find other Thieme creations. These include Ferdinand Strumpf. He was a well-known Berlin character.
What makes the Stehende Statue still so special? It resisted the demolition desires of post-reunification politicians. It seems the bronze figure has become a Berlin original. It now resides in the nomenclature of folk humor.
Thieme’s creations share common traits. They show calm and sincerity. This contrasts with the false pathos of pseudo-revolutionaries. The Stehende Statue reminds us of trust. Trust was a rare thing in the late DDR. The country suffered from a bloated, secretive underbelly.
This Stehende Statue honors those who worked without ideological fanfare. They showed responsibility despite increasing resignation. Heinz Kahlau described these people in a poem. He called them “very many people – / who simply live there”.
The Stehende Statue stands as a testament. It is a testament to ordinary people. They simply wanted to do their jobs well. The Stehende Statue overcame the state-socialist era successfully. Hopefully, it will never be removed. “Goldfinger” should stay as not everything was bad. Take a moment to appreciate its quiet strength. It is a piece of Berlin’s complex story.