Josef Kaiser (1910–1991) was a key figure in GDR architecture. From 1950 to 1970 he belonged to the collectives behind prestigious state buildings and modern architectures, including Berlin’s Karl-Marx Allee with the iconic Kino International. His designs expressed new social visions and met with international acclaim. Many are now listed as protected heritage. With the aid of drawings, photographs, films and models this exhibition presents his life and work, shedding light on political and aesthetic frictions. Contemporary artists offer fresh perspectives on his legacy as an integral part of Germany’s two state architectural history.
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 and Landpavillon in the Karl-Marx-Allee residential area, Berlin, 2026, architecture: Josef Kaiser Collective © 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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Unknown photographer, Josef Kaiser with portrait of Bert Heller, 1961, © DLK Foto Dresden / Lucia Maria Kaiser (JPG, 969 KB)
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Karsten Konrad, D(Draußen), 2005, © Karsten Konrad, photo: Bernd Borchadt (JPG, 3 MB)
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Veronika Kellndorfer, Reflection MOCKBA, 2026, © Veronika Kellndorfer (JPG, 5 MB)
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Tracey Snelling, Grosshuegelhaus, 2026, © Tracey Snelling, Galleria Giampaolo Abbondio, Milan, and Aeroplastics, Brussels, photo: Tracey Snelling (JPG, 5 MB)
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