Press release , 16 June 2017

The Dynamics of Contradiction A conversation on the form and content of the Humboldt Forum

In light of the current debate, Neil MacGregor, Elisabeth Schweeger and Florian Illies will be talking about the form and content of the Humboldt Forum at the Days of the Open Building Site.

From the outset the charged relationship between the building’s historical facade and its cultural contents has been a defining factor in its mission: to understand the world without repudiating history. Architect Franco Stella has combined the cubic volume of the and the closest possible reconstruction of its exterior with a modern interior. He has added his own architectural touches with the eastern facade, the Palace Forum and the foyer, where this conversation will be held. Now it is time for the Humboldt Forum’s cultural programme to engage with the supposedly intractable paradox between exterior and interior. Is a Gordian knot looming or will it be possible to tap into this dynamic contradiction to strengthen the Humboldt Forum’s understanding of itself? Whatever the case, the issue continues to fuel a lively debate that gets to the very heart of the Humboldt Forum.

The Berlin Palace, with its three Baroque facades, has been under reconstruction since 2013. Instead of being a simple museum, the Humboldt Forum regards itself as an invitation to the world. At the end of 2019 it will open its doors to all those seeking to explore and understand the global world of the twenty-first century as an interconnected whole.

This, then, will be the subject of the conversation between Neil MacGregor (head of the Humboldt Forum Steering Committee), Elisabeth Schweeger, (artistic director and managing director of the Akademie für Darstellende Kunst Baden-Württemberg and former director of KunstFestSpiele Hannover) and Florian Illies (journalist, art dealer, art historian and author of Generation Golf).

Seite 1/3

The gate is open! During these two open days visitors will be able to stroll through the passageway between the and Breite Strasse. The first completed section of the facade already conveys an impression of the stunning Baroque reconstruction. Discover just how far construction has progressed over the past year with a glimpse into the 30 metre-high foyer and the Eosander Gate from a number of viewing points, not forgetting the Schlüterhof, Schlossforum and architectural and sculptural decorative elements from the Palace Workshop.

With a diverse programme featuring contributions from artists, spoken-word performances, concerts, pop-up cinema, Pecha Kucha, presentations and speakers, the Humboldt Forum will be unveiling new ways of appreciating the unique Berlin collections and the site’s eventful history, as well as an overview of how all the actors and partner institutions involved in the Humboldt Forum work together.

The detailed programme announcing all participants and the schedule can be found at humboldtforum.com.

If you want to understand the world, the Humboldt Forum is the place to be. In the run-up to the completion of the Berlin Palace, the Humboldt Forum will be expanding the scope of its activities with an extensive programme. As a forum for the general public, not only is the Humboldt Forum open for all to visit, it also encourages everybody to join in the debate on issues such as nature, culture, migration, religion and globalization. The actors are the Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss, the Stiftung Preußischer Kulturbesitz (SPK) with the Ethnologisches Museum and the Museum für Asiatische Kunst, Kulturprojekte Berlin with Stadtmuseum Berlin, and the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. The Humboldt Forum is up and running!

Seite 2/3

The Dynamics of Contradiction The form and content of the Humboldt Forum

Conversation 24 June 2017, 11 am Keynote address Neil MacGregor Participants Elisabeth Schweeger, artistic director and managing director of the Akademie für Darstellende Kunst Baden-Württemberg, Florian Illies, author, Neil MacGregor, head of the Steering Committee

Days of the Open Construction Site 24 and 25 June 2017 Times 10 am to 6 pm Place Northern entrance, Schlossplatz 5, 10178 Berlin Entry Free of charge Guided press tour 21 June 2017, 9:30 am Detailed schedule at humboldtforum.com

Coordinator Stiftung Humboldt Forum im Berliner Schloss humboldtforum.com

Press contact Michael Mathis, Press Officer Cultural and Digital Communication Humboldt Forum Kultur GmbH +49 151 1617 97 27, [email protected]

Seite 3/3