“Somewhere between an art book and a theater book, it is ultimately our research on a Berlin that is always changing, always damned, and always full of possibility.” Constanza Macras
British photographer Tom Hunter created photographic tableaux at various locations in Berlin for Constanza Macras’ production Der Palast (premiere 2019, Volksbühne Berlin), using paintings by Old Masters as templates. The tableaux depict residents who were threatened with eviction due to urban redevelopment. The photos form the backdrop to Macras’ play, which addresses themes of gentrification, urban exodus, change, and renewal. Der Palast deals with this situation by focusing on the architecture in Berlin’s Mitte district on the one hand and addressing the history, present, and future visions of the city and its residents on the other.
In addition to Hunter’s work, the book (in English!) contains essays and interviews on the subject of architecture and urban development in today’s Berlin (by Tom Hunter, Poligonal – Büro für Stadtvermittlung, urban developer Thomas Bestgen, among others), a text by cultural journalist and theater critic Natalia Laube, and statements by the photographed “victims of the housing crisis.” Staged photos by Thomas Aurin complete the volume.
“Spotlight on the realities of new Berliners.” Der Tagesspiegel
Tom Hunter
British photographer Tom Hunter, born in Bournemouth in 1965, became famous for his pictures of the London borough of Hackney. He plays with motifs from the old masters and adapts them to the present day. His photographs have been shown in international exhibitions, including at the National Gallery in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. He has been awarded the Rose Award for Photography by the Royal Academy in London and the Photographic Portrait Prize. He has published numerous illustrated books.
Thomas Aurin (author, editor, photographer)
Thomas Aurin, theater photographer. Born in Magdeburg in 1963, he studied automotive engineering and computer science in Zwickau. He has lived in Berlin since 1992.
Constanza Macras
Choreographer and director Constanza Macras was born in Buenos Aires, where she studied dance and fashion design. Since 2003, she has created more than 25 pieces with her interdisciplinary ensemble DorkyPark, which have toured worldwide. The company works closely with various venues (e.g., Schaubühne Berlin, Volksbühne Berlin) as well as theaters in the independent scene. In 2008, Macras was awarded the German theater prize “Der Faust” and in 2021 the Tabori Prize.
