In this publication, Dr Andreas Butter, who researches urban, architectural and design history at the Bauhaus Dessau Foundation, takes an in-depth look at the architectural and cultural history of the open-air stage in Berlin’s Pratergarten. The stage was built in the late 1950s as part of the transformation of the Prater into a contemporary sports and cultural centre for the working-class district, following a period in which the existing facilities had increasingly fallen into need of renewal. Designed by architects Wladimir Rubinow and Udo Schultz, the stage is a particularly fine example of post-war modernism, with its dynamic form. Unlike the ubiquitous industrial housing developments of the GDR, cultural buildings were allowed a certain degree of individuality. This quality is also evident in other well-known works by Rubinow, such as the Stadthalle in Karl-Marx-Stadt, now Chemnitz.
The stage’s dynamic design allowed for greater audience participation during performances, making it a versatile venue. With events catering to all generations, it developed into an open and vibrant cultural space. Drawing on his research into the urban and architectural history of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Butter explores the stage’s architectural design and its particular significance within the Prater’s cultural history.
Rhythm and verve – a promise is built. The open-air stage in Berlin’s Pratergarten is published as part of the Prater Perspektiven series, initiated by the Prater Galerie to mark the reopening of the Prater and the municipal Prater Galerie following extensive renovation.
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All publications are available to purchase at the gallery during regular opening hours. Orders can also be placed by email at: info@pratergalerie.de