You have to come up with this idea first. The central bus station (ZOB) in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, a long-term construction site with the potential to waste money, is to be given a landmark – and Berlin with it.
There was even an art competition, “art in the building specially developed for the central bus station” should be designed, “which creates a connection to the location and its spatial, architectural and social situation and convinces with artistic quality and expressiveness”. At the same time, this should strengthen the “welcome culture” and “make a contribution to welcoming all passengers at the central bus station”. Aha!
Nothing against object artist Michael Sailstorfer, who won the competition. And, as is well known, art can be argued about. But for 230,000 euros, a “node” is to be created according to the winning design.
Yes, you read that right, what a slap in the thigh: a hub at the hub of long-distance bus travel. And it looks like this: a rope with a sailor’s knot rising up to a height of ten meters, see photo.
The jury found that the work spatially captures the ZOB as the central “traffic hub” of Berlin’s long-distance bus service – and does it “in an impressively simple, clear and direct way”. There are also associations: “From the ‘knot in the handkerchief’ as a memory aid to the memory of a magic trick from childhood days.” And then the “references to architectural icons” of Berlin. Yes, the television tower at Alexanderplatz.
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The justification could also have been read from a provincial district town in Brandenburg, which is redesigning its station forecourt. At this level there should now be art in architecture in Berlin. Suggestion: Then please also tear down the ICC next door when Berlin says goodbye to the capital city level.
