Berlinische Galerie Examines DDR Architect Josef Kaiser and the Ostmoderne Revival

The Berlinische Galerie is presenting an exhibition devoted to Josef Kaiser, one of the defining architects of the DDR, covering both his architecture and his urban planning work. Kaiser designed the Kino International on the Karl-Marx-Allee, and his name is linked to the Lunik in Wilhelmsruh, the Kosmos and the International on the Karl-Marx-Allee. In January 1965 a postcard circulated in Berlin with a pre-printed text field: the "Mitarbeiter des VEB Berliner Filmtheater" toasted the new year and wished visitors to the five brand-new cinemas pictured on the front much pleasure in the films and "ein erfolgreiches Jahr für den Aufbau unserer DDR." Those five film theaters, among them the Kino International in Berlin-Mitte, were at the time barely 3 or 4 years old and are regarded as early examples of the so-called Ostmoderne in the DDR. The Lunik in Wilhelmsruh was demolished in 1994. The exhibition is staged as the Ostmoderne experiences a revival. Further details appear in the current issue of the Freitag.