The art competition for the Decolonial Memorial is over and the winners have been announced!
An international jury of experts has chosen a concept, turned in for realization as the Decolonial Memorial at the Berlin Global Village. The winning design is titled "EarthNest" and will consist of a conical bronze sculpture. It is, according to the artists' description, "a work of decolonial healing, a community temple that brings communities together to reclaim their history." Native soil from former colonized countries will be placed in the sunken ground during a dedication ceremony. The above-ground cone will be illuminated in shades of purple.
The design comes from "The Lockward Collective" consisting of Jeannette Ehlers and patricia kaersenhout, in collaboration with advisor Rolando Vázquez. Technical advisor is the architect Max Bentler. The artist have already dealt extensively with decolonial themes in their work. We will introduce them soon on the website.
The artwork will be built between the two main buildings of the Berlin Global Village over the course of the year and presented to the public in fall 2024. The 20 finalists designs will be exhibited at the Museum Neukölln from April 26th to March 10th 2024.
The decision was carried by a high-profile, international jury lead by the chairmen Prof. Dr. Chika Okeke-Agulu (Princeton University). More information and pictures about the decision making: Blogpost final jury session.
It was a global, open and anonymous art competition. The names of the winners were revealed only after the jury had made its decision. The organizers took extra steps to invite artists from formerly colonized countries to partake in the competition – a first in Germany.
