Profitopolis

With the special exhibition “Profitopolis”, the Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge promotes the city as a central topic.

Historical and contemporary debates on climate, urban mobility, the question of historical building structures, as well as issues of housing and landownership are discussed and complemented by artistic statements and grassroots initiatives.

Point of departure is an exhibition by the same name from the year 1971, developed in the context of the Deutscher Werkbund, which criticized speculation, the ruthless exploitation of nature, the orientation towards the automobile and inhumane large housing estates. This criticism of the modern city is an expression of a growing ecological awareness and political activism – in society as a whole and within the Deutscher Werkbund.

The new special exhibition at the Werkbundarchiv – Museum der Dinge presents a historical outline of modern urban development to show how closely the history of German municipal design, urban planning and architecture is linked to the work of the Deutscher Werkbund. Additionally, “Profitopolis” situates key issues of the metropolis in Berlin’s cityscape between the old and new museum locations, allowing visitors to experience them on site after their exhibition visit.