Exhibition Paul Schneider von Esleben – The Legacy of Postwar Modernism M:AI exhibitions and events to mark the 100th anniversary of the architect’s birthday. For this exhibition, Thomas Mayer photographed 5 of Paul Schneider von Esleben’s projects in Dusseldorf.
On 23 August, 2015 Paul Schneider von Esleben would have turned 100. With his projects he emphatically shaped the post-War architecture of West Germany until well into the 1970s. In North Rhine-Westphalia in particular he left behind a series of buildings that reflect the developments in architectural history in the first 20 years after the war. Von Esleben viewed buildings as gesamtkunstwerke, which he designed down to the last detail, be it art on the buildings or the furnishings inside.
M:AI is devoting an exhibition to the works and life of the architect to mark this anniversary. The exhibition will be divided between two locations, namely the Haus der Architekten (NRW Chamber of Architects) and the Mannesmann highrise in Düsseldorf designed by Schneider von Esleben. The highrise becomes the presentation’s largest exhibit – giving information on the building’s history, as it demonstrates in detail how Schneider von Esleben planned and designed. The section in the Chamber of Architects examines the artist, architect, entrepreneur and personality in Düsseldorf society. Other projects of his in Düsseldorf include the Rochus church the Haniel garage, the Roland School and the former Commerzbank building.
Various partners in Düsseldorf are organizing other activities relating to Schneider von Esleben late this summer so that together with the exhibitions there will be a variety of ways to engage with the architect’s work. One partner is the North Rhine Westphalia Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, the tenant of the Mannesmann highrise, which will open its otherwise inaccessible premises to the public. The second partner is the Chamber of Architects, which will contribute a series of lectures and discussions.
Venues Exhibition in the Mannesmann highrise/ Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy: The Mannesmann Building – Architectural Icon of the Age of Economic Reconstruction), Berger Allee 25, 40213 Düsseldorf www.mweimh.nrw.de Exhibition in the Haus der Architekten: The PSE Brand – Architecture Between Preservation and Demolition, Zollhof 1 in 40221 Düsseldorf www.aknw.de
Opening hours Runs: 23 August to 25 September 2015 The exhibitions in the Haus der Architekten and Mannesmann highrise can be seen Mon -Thurs from 9 a.m. 6 p.m., Fri from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Special openings on the Sundays 13 and 20 September, 2015 from 10 a.m.– 6 p.m. Free admission!
Exhibition concept: Paul Andreas, Düsseldorf Ursula Kleefisch-Jobst, M:AI
Curators: Paul Andreas, Düsseldorf and Karen Jung, M:AI
Project director: Peter Köddermann, M:AI
Exhibition design: Martin Sinken, sinken architekten, Cologne
Graphics: Nane Weber, blick heben, Cologne
Exhibition buildings: Clemens Moser, Cologne
The exhibition: The PSE brand – Architecture between preservation and demolition
To mark what would have been the artist’s 100th birthday, the exhibition “The PSE brand – Architecture between preservation and demolition” in Haus der Architekten explores the work of Paul Schneider von Esleben (1915-2005) and takes a closer look at this enigmatic character. The show deliberately takes up the abbreviation PSE, which the architect initially used as his signature, then as a brand. In 1948 as a young architect PSE set up his own office in Düsseldorf. He soon moved with confidence and excellent instinct amongst Düsseldorf’s high society of the post-War economic reconstruction years – associating equally with rebellious artists from the Art Academy and the circle of clients from big business who were not wanting when it came to building projects and the world of finance. The spirit of optimism in the post-War era, the desire for the new and modernity were to define his work all his life – not surprisingly, his architectural work is characterized by an array of formal approaches and stylistic currents. However, rather than simply looking at the most important buildings realized in the Rhineland the exhibition seeks to show what became of the buildings: The spectrum ranges from loving preservation via conversion and extension through to irrevocable demolition. Visitors can also find out about the man Paul Schneider von Esleben: As a brilliant draftsman and water color artist, astute caricaturist, passionate sailor and bon vivant, his work and personality merged to form a whole whose individual parts were difficult to keep separate. Short interviews with colleagues and contemporaries capture the facets of his complex personality. Another section of the exhibition entitled "The Mannesmann Building – Architectural Icon of the Age of Economic Reconstruction "will also be shown in the Mannesmann highrise: The building itself forms the largest exhibit and an idea setting for presenting Paul Schneider von Esleben’s design achievements in an exemplary manner. Visitors can find out how he researched in the United States, how he found special solutions for the Mannesmann highrise, and finally how he came to choose the material he did.
The Program
23 August 2015, from 11 a.m.: Opening of the exhibitions in the Mannesmann highrise (Berger Allee 25) and from 1 p.m. in Haus der Architekten (Zollhof 1). Registration necessary either at info@mai.nrw.de or 0209 925780 23 August 2015, from 7.30 p.m.: Opening of the exhibition in Rochus church. Featuring plans and sketches from the church archives it explores the history of the church’s conception (Prinz-Georg-Str. / corner Bagelstr.). Information under: www.kath-derendorf-pemeplfort.de
27.08.15, 7 p.m.: Special edition “Architekturquartett NRW” ( NRW Architectural Quartet) Reinhard Hübsch (journalist), Prof. Mischa Kuball (light artist), Prof. Wolfgang Döring (Döring Dahmen Joeressen Architekten, Düsseldorf) and Dr. Regine Heß (TU München) will discuss three key works that Paul Schneider von Esleben realized in the state capital of Düsseldorf: the Mannesmann highrise, the Haniel garage and the Roland School. The discussion will also center on the architecture of the post-War era as a whole, its qualities and weaknesses – and the question of how we should deal with the architecture of the 1950s and 1960s today. Limited seating! Registration necessary: teilnahme@aknw.de. Venue: Mannesmann highrise (Berger Allee 25), 0211 49670
8 September 2015, 7 p.m. Multimedia lecture by Reinhard Hübsch about the architect PSE The architect realized numerous striking works without a clear style becoming visible over the years. Who was Paul Schneider von Esleben, what can be said about his architecture, his thinking and his personality? Journalist Reinhard Hübsch (SWR) who specializes in culture, provides some interesting answers. Haus der Architekten, Zollhof 1. Registration at teilnahme@aknw.de, 0211 49670
13 September, 2015, 10 a.m. –6 p.m.: Day of the open monument: The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy, Berger Allee 25, opens the doors to its home, the Mannesmann highrise and in particular its 21st floor with its conference rooms. Those interested can not only visit the exhibition (guided tours at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.) in the foyer but also enjoy the fantastic view from the building’s 21st floor. On show are also the artistic works by Johannes Post, Benjamin Zibner and Alexander Basile. No registration necessary! The part of the exhibition in the Chamber of Architects, Zollhof 1 is also open this day 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
20 September, 2015, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.: The Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy once again opens the 21st floor in the Mannesmann highrise, Berger Allee 25. Visitors can not only enjoy the presentation (guided tours at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.) in the foyer, but also the wonderful view from the 21st floor. On show are also the artistic works by Johannes Post, Benjamin Zibner and Alexander Basile. No registration necessary! The part of the exhibition in the Chamber of Architects, Zollhof 1 is also open this day 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Guided tours: 25 August and 8 September 2015, midday: lunchtime guided tour of the exhibition in Haus der Architekten, Zollhof 1, lasting roughly an hour.
13 and 20 September, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.: Guided tours of the exhibition in the Mannesmann highrise (Berger Allee 25)
Visitors must register for all guided tours: info@mai.nrw.de or 0209 925780. For a charge we are also happy to take tours on request! Participation on the events is free of charge.
Download the information related to this event here.
Title
Exhibition: Paul Schneider von Esleben – The Legacy of Postwar ModernismWebsite
Organizers
M:AI museum for architecture and art of engineeringFrom
August 23, 2015 10:17 AMUntil
September 25, 2015 10:17 AMVenue
Mannesmannhochhaus (Berger Allee 25) and Haus der Architekten (Zollhof 1) in DüsseldorfAddress
Berger Allee 25 and Zollhof 1, Düsseldorf
