October 2, 2019
The Big Pond #48: Legacies of the Berlin Wall

In front of the Tacheles in Berlin, in the 90s
Courtesy Martin Reiter, Kunsthaus Tacheles Archive

“It was chaos, it was total chaos.” When the Berlin Wall unexpectedly fell in 1989, it triggered a time of massive flux for the newly reunited capital of Germany. Subcultures and international trends combined with other creative forces to establish Berlin as a mecca for artists. For The Big Pond, KCRW Berlin speaks to Berliners who helped build the city’s lasting legacy. 

To retell the fall of the Iron Curtain in Berlin, Monika Müller-Kroll, Sylvia Cunningham, and Nikki Motson from KCRW Berlin interview some contemporary witnesses: musician Mark Reeder, author Ulrich Gutmair, DJ and founder of the Love Parade Dr. Motte, musician Gudrun Gut, artist Else Gabriel, filmmaker Peter Zach and artist Martin Reiter. These Berlin creatives give their impressions of the Berlin music and art scene in the late ’80s – and they relate their experiences surrounding the fall of the Berlin Wall.
  • In front of the Tacheles Photo Courtesy Martin Reiter | Kunsthaus Tacheles Archive
    In front of the Tacheles; Photo Courtesy Martin Reiter | Kunsthaus Tacheles Archive
  • In front of the Tacheles Photo Courtesy Martin Reiter | Kunsthaus Tacheles Archive
    In front of the Tacheles; Photo Courtesy Martin Reiter | Kunsthaus Tacheles Archive
  • In front of the Tacheles Photo by Stefan Schilling, Courtesy Martin Reiter | Kunsthaus Tacheles Archive
    In front of the Tacheles; Photo by Stefan Schilling, Courtesy Martin Reiter | Kunsthaus Tacheles Archive
  • People at the Berlin Wall (1961-62) Photo: Jack Williams
  • At an overlook over Berlin Wall (1961-62) Photo: Jack Williams
    At an overlook over Berlin Wall (1961-62); Photo: Jack Williams
  • Berlin Wall from an observer platform (1961-62) Photo: Jack Williams
    Berlin Wall from an observer platform (1961-62); Photo: Jack Williams
  • Approaching a checkpoint of the Berlin Wall (1961-62) Photo: Jack Williams
    Approaching a checkpoint of the Berlin Wall (1961-62); Photo: Jack Williams
  • Berlin Wall pedestrian crossing (1961-62) Photo: Jack Williams
    Berlin Wall pedestrian crossing (1961-62); Photo: Jack Williams
We hear about the rise of electronic music, the years of artists squatting in buildings in the most central parts of the city, the friendly atmosphere between East- and West-Berliners after the fall of the Wall – KCRW’s interviewees have a lot of stories to tell. 30 years after the fall of the Wall, these artists are still creating new stories and contributing to Berlin’s legacy. Listen to this episode to find out more.

Music:
“D1 Mauserstadt (RIAS Mix),” courtesy by Mark Reeder
“Your Turn to Run” by Malaria, courtesy by Gudrun Gut
“Kind als Pinsel” by Else Gabriel, courtesy by Else Gabriel
“Lucid Dream” by Dr. Motte, courtesy by Dr. Motte
Final concert, courtesy by Martin Reiter

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