Floating Messages
30,000 wishes form the art installation “Visions in Motion”
The Peaceful Revolution was driven by the wishes, hopes, demands, and aspirations of countless people. Raising their voices in protest, they used banners and ribbons to express their desire for a better and more democratic future. “Visions in Motion” was an art installation comprising 30,000 ribbons that bore aloft the wishes, hopes, and memories of 30,000 people today. This hand-crafted work floated in the skies above Berlin, spanning over one hundred metres between the Brandenburg Gate and Straße des 17. Juni.
Video: © Kulturprojekte Berlin | Filmproduktion: Super36
At hundreds of workshops and events held over the past few months in schools and churches, on the streets and at festivals, thousands of people had explored the story of this tumultuous period. What role does the fall of the Berlin Wall play in your life story? What challenges do we still have to overcome? What opportunities does this legacy present for future generations? Do you have something to say about this?
“Visions in Motion” is an art installation created by US-American artist Patrick Shearn and his studio Poetic Kinetics, curated by Kulturprojekte Berlin. Supported by the protestant church Berlin-Brandenburg-schlesische Oberlausitz and radioeins.
A small sample of the messages submitted so far…
“The day on which the Wall was opened, exactly 30 years ago, was and still is the most beautiful day of my life. It is simply fantastic to have witnessed something like this. It’s nice that it was peaceful and that it remained so.”
Norbert (61) from Prague
“Walls don’t keep people out, they lock you in. Viva la caida del muro de Berlin.”
Carolina (28) from México
“I was 15, a Christian, and not a member of the FDJ. Without the fall of the Berlin Wall I would not have been able to graduate from high school and attend university. My life would have been completely different. I am very grateful.”
Elke (54) from Berlin
“You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us. And the world will live as one.”
Greta (55) from Berlin
“I watched live when I turned 20… and came here to celebrate when I turned 50. Berlin feeds my soul.”
Tracy Schmidt (50) from Wantagh, USA
“A dream came true with the falling of that inhuman bulwark, the Wall. Germany will be one country again. This was a day of indescribable joy at the Peaceful Revolution.”
Harald Sielaff (54) from Berlin