Josef Kaiser (1910 Cilli/Celje – 1991 Altenberg) was an influential proponent of “socialist” architectures in the GDR. Between 1950 and 1980 he and his collective carried out many building projects for state and municipal clients, including Kino International and Café Moskau on Karl-Marx-Allee in Berlin. His early professional experience working in practices compliant with the Nazi regime was no obstacle to his career in the socialist republic. In general his designs, which garnered international acclaim, were seen as an expression of a society seeking new departures. Many surviving buildings designed by Kaiser are now listed as significant examples of the GDR’s independent cultural identity.
The exhibition will break new ground by offering a broad reconstruction of the life and work of this architect. Approximately 60 drawings, photographs, films and models from the Berlinische Galerie holdings and other collections will trace Kaiser’s work, casting light on political and aesthetic pressures. Contemporary artworks will widen the gaze with fresh perspectives on the GDR’s architectural heritage.
Press material
Press images
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Dieter Urbach, The Prefabricated Buildings on Alexanderstraße, collage, ca. 1965, © Berlinische Galerie, digitized by: A. E. Witte (JPG, 3 MB)
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Dieter Urbach, Großhügelhaus, 1971, © Berlinische Galerie (JPG, 3 MB)
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Dieter Urbach, Hotel Berolina and Kino International, 1966, © Berlinische Galerie, digitized by: A. E. Witte (JPG, 4 MB)
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Dieter Urbach, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the GDR, collaged Perspective, ca. 1967, © Berlinische Galerie, digitized by: A. E. Witte (JPG, 4 MB)
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Gerd Danigel, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the GDR, 1990, © Gerd Danigel (JPG, 5 MB)
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Postcard showing the Karl-Marx-Allee ensemble in 1964: Kino International, designed by Josef Kaiser with Heinz Aust, Hotel Berolina, designed by Josef Kaiser with Günter Kunert, and Restaurant Moskau, designed by Josef Kaiser with Horst Bauer. © Foto Sc (JPEG, 3 MB)
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Josef Kaiser, Drawing of Kino Kosmos, undated, © Berlinische Galerie, digitized by: A. E. Witte (JPG, 2 MB)
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Unknown photographer, Kulturhaus Maxhütte, ca. 1955, © Photo Archive of VEB Maxhütte Unterwellenborn (JPG, 3 MB)
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Lothar Willmann, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the GDR, undated, © IRS Erkner, Lothar Willmann Collection (JPG, 2 MB)
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Unknown photographer, Restaurant Moskau with Strausberger Platz, ca. 1965, © Berlinische Galerie, digitized by: A. E. Witte (JPG, 4 MB)
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Rolf Vetter, Karl-Marx-Allee between Alexanderplatz and Strausberger Platz, 1970, © IRS Erkner, photo: Rolf Vetter (JPG, 3 MB)
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Schnepp Renou, Café Moskau Pavillon, 2026, © Schnepp Renou (JPG, 4 MB)
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Schnepp Renou, Residential Complex II, 2026, © Schnepp Renou (JPG, 4 MB)
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Schnepp Renou, Kino International, 2026, © Schnepp Renou (JPG, 3 MB)
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Schnepp Renou, Kulturhaus Maxhütte, 2026, © Schnepp Renou (JPG, 4 MB)
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