Aufbau der Republik

The DDR, the government of the former East Germany, is often described as a piece of eastern Soviet communism in the west. Which is a result of the import of furniture, architecture, and art into a western city. Much of this art has been removed since reunification, but some important pieces persevere. 

'Aufbau der Republik' is perhaps the most important of those pieces due to both its location and history. It is installed on the north wall of what is now the finance ministry, but what was once the DDR headquarters and the Nazi air ministry before that. 

During the times of the DDR, this meant that a distinction needed to be made between the new government and the buildings’ old occupants. This was partially done by means of flags, but also with a large socialist mural. 

The mural was installed in early ’50s after the design of Max Lingner, who won the competition set to replace the Nazi imagery that was at the same location. Although heavily modified to better show socialist ideals, the piece was still largely Lingner's. It was painted on porcelain tiles and depicts the progress that the DDR promised for the city. Showing happy youths, factory workers, and a utopia in the making.