ANONYMOUS MODERN
Abstract:
In the 1970s and 1980s a certain kind of anonymous architecture emerged in West German cities of the former Bonn Republic which is currently confronted with the risk of demolition, stemming mainly from the lack of recognition and care. These buildings have played a significant role in shaping the character of today’s typical West German cities, thus holding a crucial place in the identity of these urban and suburban areas. Therefore, this paper focuses on the concept of photography as a visual preservation method, using the city of Aachen as a representative example of an average-sized West German city. The objective is to enhance the appreciation of this neglected cultural heritage, both in terms of sustainable urban planning and potential inclusion in the canon of architectural history.
Publication:
Bunte L., Schillak-Hammers B., Changing the Image: Photographic Investigations on the Anonymous Modern, West Germany 1970-1989., in: Sophia Journal: Architecture, Art and Image, Vol. 8 [peer-reviewed journal], Oct. 2023. ISSN: 2183-9468 LINK
