Seminar „Walls have Feelings“

Each student selected a building in Berlin to research, uncovering its historical and social layers. Among the chosen sites were, for example, the Schwerbelastungskörper, Medienhaus and the former botanical garden that once surrounded it, the 24-hour fruit market at Kottbusser Tor, a former watchtower at Schlesischer Busch, and a student’s private apartment. These locations became the focus of individual artistic investigations, revealing how different structures encode power, history, and personal narratives.

A particularly revealing session led us to the Landesarchiv Berlin, where layers of urban history unfolded through archival documents and forgotten blueprints. The visit provided a tangible connection to the past, offering students valuable material for their individual research. By examining historical records, maps, and architectural plans, we uncovered hidden narratives that deepened our understanding of how these structures evolved over time and how they continue to influence the urban fabric. This archival exploration reinforced our discussions on power structures, hierarchies, and gender roles embedded in architecture, giving students additional context to frame their artistic and analytical approaches.

Through filmic experimentation, the students explored strategies to make these hidden narratives visible. Using camera, editing, and sound, they developed artistic responses that challenged architectural norms and interrogated the emotional weight of physical spaces. In parallel, we examined works by artists such as Yoko Ono, Valie Export, Kerstin Honeit, Eli Cortiñas, and Niklas Goldbach, drawing inspiration from their approaches to space, identity, and power in the urban landscape. The combination of theoretical analysis and hands-on artistic practice enabled a dynamic exchange for the development of each individual artistic practice.

In summary, Shonfield’s Walls Have Feelings offered a powerful perspective on how architecture, film, and urban planning intersect with social and gender dynamics. She challenged us to think critically about the spaces we occupy and how they shape our experiences and relationships. The seminar, shaped by discussions and shared observations, changed our perspective on the spaces we inhabit—how they influence our sense of freedom, identity, and agency—and how we might reimagine or criticize urban spaces through filmmaking.