Letter from Jochen Boberg, former director of Culture Projects Berlin

 

Advisory Opinion
Ernst Lurker, "PlayArt" in Berlin
By Dr. Jochen Boberg

Assessment of the Project

Under the search term "PlayArt" there are, in various categories, approximately ½ million entries on the Internet.  As a rule, they offer no sensible definition of the term.

Only the formulation of Ernst Lurker, who created moveable sculptures as an art student in 1962 and chose the term PlayArt for this kind of work, has, in this context cultural relevance, and makes it possible to include even first rate works in the history of art under this term.

With the publication of his reflections and the presentation of objects under the title "Play Art and Creativity" (1985), Lurker laid the foundation for a PlayArt movement, which many artists and culture experts have followed with enthusiasm.

PlayArt and Berlin

Against this background, it seemed sensible to bring a PlayArt project to the reunified Berlin in late 1995.  At the time, I was director of the Berlin Museum Services, currently Culture Projects Berlin GmbH, and had the task of developing or procuring new forms of cultural events for the city.  The merging of art and play seemed to me future oriented for a metropolis on the move, especially after the positive experience with the "play street" at the Munich Olympics, in which I was also involved.

In several meetings with Ernst Lurker, we developed the concept for the first Museum of PlayArt with several preparatory projects in the city.

  • The first contact was Dr.Volker Hassemer, former senator for culture, then the initiator and director of "Partners for Berlin", a civic association for supportive companies.The idea was well received.
  • The Governing Mayor Eberhard Diepgenwas informed and approved the project.
  • The Director General of the German Museum of Technology, Prof. Dr. Gottmann showed interest,
  • The Directorate General of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation offered his assistance,
  • Professor Nickels and other colleagues at the Academy of the Arts offered institutional co-operation.
  • After consultation with the Senator for Cultural Buildings, potential locations were investigated,
  • After the endorsement by the Working Committee for Culture and Tourism of the Berlin Senate, the official approach to sponsors was initiated.


The project was launched.

Unfortunately, with the relocation of the Federal Government from Bonn to Berlin (1999), the conditions for museums changed dramatically in the city. The existing national museums, some of which needed to be upgraded or consolidated, received priority (the Museum Island, the Jewish Museum, the German Historical Museum, and others), and the State Government of Berlin needed to focus primarily on the continuity of its museums (the German Museum of Technology, the Foundation of the City Museum). With more than 180 museums and collections already in existence in the city, and with all of the historical monuments and memorials, the capacity and financial resources were so strained that we needed to refrain from the founding of a new international museum – at least for the time being.

The Idea of the PlayArt Museum is still valid today, and in light of all the technological developments, it becomes even more important. After the financial crisis and the completion of the resulting tasks of the reunification, these plans are to be resumed.

Berlin, January 28, 2010

 Dr. Jochen Boberg
(Biography)

 

 

Scan of the original letter in German: