ASSEMBLY

Permanent Sculpture on the Facade of ZK/U Berlin

During my residency at ZK/U Berlin (Centre for Arts and Urbanistics), I developed two site-specific works that engage with the ongoing transformation of the ZK/U building. My focus was on the (de)construction processes of the structure, tracing the origins and journeys of the materials used throughout its history. This research led me from Berlin to distant regions such as China and Ukraine, uncovering the diverse techniques and materials employed from the building's initial construction as a train station in 1890 to its most recent renovation in 2012.

"Assembly" is a sculptural installation that reflects the layered history of ZK/U by bringing together disparate materials representing different phases of the building's existence. I incorporated metal beams once used as rail tracks, metal piping from the former loading dock, wooden elements from the original roof repurposed to reinforce concrete molds, and modern plastic sheets used in the latest construction efforts. The sculpture is permanently installed on the facade of the building, resting atop a metal beam that once supported the roof, symbolizing the intersection of past and present.

In this project, I approached artmaking as an investigative process—a space for exploration, experimentation, and playful interaction with materials. "Assembly" serves not only as a visual statement but also as a thoughtful meditation on the stories embedded in the building materials, and the act of uncovering these histories amidst the complexities of urban transformation.