Why is there a sex doll in the primary official seat of the German President?
Set in a suggestive pose, the green bronze cast replicating the torso of a Japanese sex doll made headlines and attracted attention on social media.
Alexandra Birken’s sculpture, titled “Eva”, is just one of many contemporary artworks on display at Bellevue Palace, a highly symbolic political space associated with the German presidency and state ceremonies.
A two-week pop-up exhibition, titled “free space art” (Art as Free Space), runs June 13-28.
“We need art,” German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier told the press at a preview before the exhibition’s opening. “Without free art democracy loses the capacity for self-criticism, and without freedom art loses its social relevance.”
Organized by the city’s art academy under the patronage of the president, the pop-up exhibition can be seen as Steinmeier’s farewell to Bellevue Palace.
The Berlin building has been mostly emptied in preparation for its upcoming closing, leaving space for special exhibitions. Bellevue Palace is set to undergo an eight-year renovation. Since Steinmeier’s second and final term ends next year, he is not expected to return to residence before the work is completed. He will move to an interim residence near Berlin’s central railway station.
Democracy needs artistic voices
The contemporary art show, which includes video and audio installations, photography and traditional oil painting, aims to provoke reflections on democracy, representation, power and public life.
Freedom of art, guaranteed by Germany’s Constitution, is one of the strongest fundamental rights in the country’s legal system.
Even before entering the building, Christian Ave’s massive installation of the words “Freerum” (“free space”) on the roof of the palace serves as the exhibition’s overarching statement on artistic freedom.
Upon entering the lobby, one hears a continuously repeated “Hello”. It is from a performance staged by the artist Jochen Gerz in 1972, titled “To Call Until Exhausted”.
In the performance, the artist repeatedly said his hello into the void until his voice stopped. The work can be interpreted as a commentary on the limits of speaking, especially in an age where social media encourages constant attention seeking. In a democratic context, when citizens’ calls go unheeded, frustration grows and can lead to a sense of social exhaustion.
A painting at the entrance by street artist El Bocho, titled “The Federal President” (Female President), imagines a woman serving as Germany’s ceremonial head of state.
Artist Carin Sander created a miniature version of President Steinmeier. His 36 centimeters (14 in) tall statue stands on a pedestal in the Political Speech Room.
Meanwhile, the provocative bronze sculpture “Eva” confronts visitors with questions about the body, gender, sexuality and the objectification of women. The fact that an intimate subject matter is displayed in the formal setting of a state palace creates tension and raises questions about the representation and control of bodies in society.
The exhibition also includes works by renowned artists such as Katharina Grosse, Wolfgang Tillmans and Monica Bonvicini.
The 18th-century Prussian royal Bellevue Palace became the official residence of the President of Germany in 1994.
Normally, the official seat of the President is not accessible to the public, which is why the exhibition is also seen as a rare opportunity to get a glimpse inside the building.
The website to book one of 35,000 free tickets crashed just hours after going live last month. All tickets for the show are currently sold out, but some tickets may become available at the last minute due to cancellations.
Edited by: Brenda Haas