Lina Lapelytė's 400,000 Wood Blocks Invite Public Rebuilding at Hamburger Bahnhof
Berlin's Hamburger Bahnhof has been transformed by Lithuanian artist Lina Lapelytė, who has created a participatory installation titled "We Make Years Out of Hours," commissioned by Chanel. This installation features 400,000 wooden cubes, each measuring 10 centimeters, crafted from pine and spruce, which visitors can stack and topple to create new structures. Lapelytė, recognized for her fusion of sound and performance, delves into themes of collective creation and shared authorship. Additionally, the installation includes performances every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, showcasing a libretto that weaves together texts from 15 authors, such as Ocean Vuong, Etel Adnan, Forugh Farrokhzad, and Mahmoud Darwish, exploring themes of community, love, and loss. It opens on May 1 and will be on display until January 10, 2027.
Key facts
- 400,000 wooden cubes are used in the installation.
- The cubes are 10-centimeter blocks made of pine and spruce.
- The work is titled 'We Make Years Out of Hours'.
- It is commissioned by Chanel.
- The venue is Hamburger Bahnhof in Berlin.
- Weekly performances occur on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
- The libretto includes words from 15 writers.
- The installation runs from May 1, 2026 to January 10, 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Lina Lapelytė
- Ocean Vuong
- Etel Adnan
- Forugh Farrokhzad
- Mahmoud Darwish
Institutions
- Hamburger Bahnhof
- Chanel
- Colossal
- Hamburger Bahnhof — Nationalgalerie der Gegenwart
Locations
- Berlin
- Germany