VISIONS IN MOTION

by: Patrick Shearn of Poetic Kinetics

30,000 messages will float at the Straße des 17. Juni in front of Brandenburg Gate in Berlin November 4th – 10th 2019.

To mark the 30th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Wall, Kulturprojekte Berlin has invited Patrick Shearn and his team at Poetic Kinetics to display “Visions in Motion”, the latest work from the artist’s “Skynet” series. Curated as part of Berlin’s official week-long festival, the 20,000 sq. ft. kinetic installation will span 450 ft. in length at the Brandenburg Gate, where the former Wall divided the city. The artwork’s rectangular shape conjures the form of the wall; but instead of a heavy, impenetrable border, the form takes flight.

Kulturprojekte Berlin was inspired to invite artist Patrick Shearn from Berlin’s sister city, Los Angeles, to bring forth an artwork for the official festivities that symbolizes the unification of the German people. During the Peaceful Revolution, hundreds of thousands of people raised their voices and contributed to the fall of the Wall. In reminiscence of the banners carried during the demonstrations of the Peaceful Revolution, Shearn’s installation will incorporate multicolored, partly reflective streamers, which will float almost weightlessly across the sky at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

Patrick Shearn is world renowned for his striking, larger-than-life, moving sculptures, called Skynets. The commissioned work continues the dynamic installation series of ultra lightweight floating artworks, rigged inconspicuously to appear as if they float in midair. The artwork will be comprised of approximately 120,000 streamers of fabric— 30,000 of which contain handwritten messages collected from members of the German people and the world community. In total, the installation is comprised of approximately 9500 linear ft. of rope, over 1250 hand-tied technical knots and approximately 120,000 ripstop nylon and reflective fabric streamers arranged in an elegant, colorful pattern. Harnessing available wind, the artwork will undulate in a gorgeous, immersive display.

From August 31 – September 25, the Kulturprojekte Berlin spearheaded a campaign to collect messages from the public to contribute their messages, wishes and hopes for the future, as well as their memories of the past to be incorporated into the artwork. The L.A. community can participate via a the Wende Museum during the week of September 25. Moritz van Dülmen, CEO of Kulturprojekte Berlin says “In memory of the thousands of people who courageously raised their voices 30 years ago, today we would like to cordially invite everyone in Los Angeles to share their memories, messages and thoughts on the future. Everyone can participate!“

Patrick Shearn is particularly inspired to lend his work to this auspicious historical event and intends “Visions in Motion” to be a symbol for peace and the united power of the people overcoming injustice. “As an artist, I am deeply moved by the invitation to translate such a watershed moment in human history into physical form. In light of the state of affairs in the world today, I feel it is a time to be bold, gather together with a unified voice, and throw our shared colors and our dreams skyward for the world to see.”

The Berlin Festival Week from November 4 – 10 marks the 30^th anniversary of the Peaceful Revolution and the fall of the Berlin Wall: the capital city will be transformed into a large open-air exhibition and event location. Over one hundred events at seven original sites of the Peaceful Revolution, visitors are invited to learn, remember, debate and celebrate. As partner of the Senate of Berlin, Kulturprojekte Berlin is responsible for the organization of the official celebrations. The full program will be released by the end of September on the official website: https://mauerfall30.berlin/en/