Category Archives: News

The housing crisis as a breaking point for intimate relations – On living together in times of scarcity

Dr. phil. Andrej Holm (Institute for Social Sciences, Department of Urban and Regional Sociology, Humboldt University of Berlin)

The housing crisis has long ceased to be merely an economic or urban policy issue. It reaches deep into the textures of everyday life, reshaping the conditions under which people live together. This talk explores how rising rents and limited space affect family constellations and intimate relationships. When leaving the parental home is postponed due to a lack of affordable options; when families inhabit spaces that are too small and must be reconfigured through improvised spatial arrangements; when separations are delayed because maintaining two households is financially unfeasible – it becomes evident how profoundly housing conditions structure intimate decisions. At the same time, precarious housing situations, uncertainty, and the fear of displacement generate psychological pressures that inscribe themselves into relationships. Drawing on current developments in Berlin’s housing market and engaging with concepts from critical and feminist urban studies, the talk approaches housing as a social practice: as a site of care and dependency, negotiation and strain – and as a key condition shaping how people live together today.

The lecture will be held in German.

Participation is possible without pre-registration and is open to all interested parties.

Organiser:

Prof Dr Daniel Tyradellis (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Dr Alia Rayyan (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Dr Laura Goldenbaum (Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace)

Place and time:

17. June 2026,

6 to 8 pm

in Room 3 (Saal 3), ground floor,
Humboldt Forum, Schlossplatz.

Weitere Informationen

Andrej Holm is a social scientist at Humboldt University in Berlin. His research focuses on gentrification and housing policy. He is also committed to the right to housing in Berlin and is active in numerous urban policy initiatives.

Event, Lecture Series, News, Theorie und Praxis des interdisziplinären Kuratierens, Workshop

Lecture series “Beziehungsweise Familie” (Family Matters) – Workshop Exploring Family Dynamics, June 3, 2026

28. May 2026 Anna Grodecki

Insoluble Family Problems?

Exploring Family Dynamics: An Introduction to Constellation Exercises (limited number of participants)

Theresa Adam (Qualified psychologist and alternative practitioner specialising in psychotherapy, Berlin)

This workshop offers a foundational introduction to the origins, history, and core principles of family constellation work. Participants will gain first-hand insight into the mechanics of a constellation and explore its potential for personal support through practical, paired exercises.

In this specific approach, family constellation is presented primarily as a somatic and intuitive experience rather than a purely cognitive or structured one. That said, the practice inherently bridges both dimensions; exactly how these levels intersect will be explored and discussed throughout the session.

The workshop will be held in German.

The workshop is free of charge; a ticket is required and can be booked on the Humboldt Forum website.

Organiser:

Prof Dr Daniel Tyradellis (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Dr Alia Rayyan (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Dr Laura Goldenbaum (Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace)

Place and time:

3. June 2026,

6 to 8 pm

in Room 3 (Saal 3), ground floor,
Humboldt Forum, Schlossplatz.

Further information

Theresa Adam is a graduate psychologist and a Heilpraktiker for Psychotherapy. She works as a psychological counsellor specialising in family constellations, drawing on extensive experience in phenomenological-systemic work. Her professional career encompasses long-term project and consultancy work for universities, foundations, and NGOs in the field of civic education, alongside the support of individuals in complex psychosocial circumstances. Since 2026, she has been deepening her expertise through advanced training in Somatic Experiencing (SE)®. Her approach is informed by a commitment to personal development in various psychotherapeutic and mindfulness-based methods dating back to 1997.

Event, Lecture Series, News, Theorie und Praxis des interdisziplinären Kuratierens

Lecture series “Beziehungsweise Familie” (Family Matters) – May 20, 2026 with Jürgen Dinkel

13. May 2026 Anna Grodecki

Everything remains in the family. A history of inheritance since 1800

Prof. Dr. Jürgen Dinkel (University of Leipzig)

Societies of the 20th and 21st centuries are, at their core, societies of inheritance and family. An individual’s prospects of wealth and social status have been, and remain, heavily dependent on their familial background. A central factor in this was the deeply rooted conviction among the population that property should primarily be passed on to the next generation within the family. Consequently, the transfer of assets always raised the question of who actually belonged to the family and on what basis these individuals’ inheritance rights were established.

In his lecture, Jürgen Dinkel traces the history of inheritance in the transatlantic space since approximately 1800. He demonstrates how governments, families, and individuals repeatedly negotiated the transfer and distribution of estates, thereby also renegotiating their understanding of family and specific familial constellations. Ultimately, instances of inheritance represented moments that generated, updated, or even challenged the social fabric of the family.

The lecture will be held in German.

Participation is possible without pre-registration and is open to all interested parties.

Organiser:

Prof Dr Daniel Tyradellis (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Dr Alia Rayyan (Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin)

Dr Laura Goldenbaum (Humboldt Forum Foundation in the Berlin Palace)

Place and time:

20. May 2026,

6 to 8 pm

in Room 3 (Saal 3), ground floor,
Humboldt Forum, Schlossplatz.

Further information

Jürgen Dinkel is a Heisenberg Professor of Global History of Modern Times at the University of Leipzig. His research focuses on the history of inheritance and bequest, colonialism and decolonization, and the Global South. He is currently writing a short history of gratitude.

Artwork of the month, News, Object of the Month

Object of the Month: Spring awakening in Spandau – Karl Marx

11. May 2026 HZK

Object of the Month 05/2026

Forgetting and remembering – this process sometimes requires a considerable amount of time to take effect. Sometimes, rediscovery also requires a different setting. A work of art at HU has now achieved this.

In 1953, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of his death (and 135th birthday), Karl Marx was celebrated on a grand scale by decision of the SED – and honoured, among other things, with a colossal bust erected at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Friedrich-Schiller-Universität in Jena, two important biographical milestones in Marx’s life. In the course of planning, a third bust (more precisely, a third cast) was added on the occasion of the naming of Leipzig University after Karl Marx. The simultaneous unveiling of the busts at all universities on 5 May 1953 (Karl Marx’s birthday) also sent a signal in terms of higher education policy. With the II. Hochschulreform (Higher Education Reform) of 1951/52, university administration was placed under the authority of the SED (Socialist Unity Party of Germany), which undertook far-reaching restructuring of teaching – including requirements to focus on Marxism-Leninism.

Rise and fall – From the new foyer to the basement

Will Lammert emerged as the winner of the competition organised by the State Art Commission, to which Fritz Cremer, Heinrich Drake and Gustav Seitz were also invited. The recognisable depiction – with characteristics such as flowing hair and beard and a high, slightly forward-sloping forehead – was shown in advance at the III. Deutsche Kunstausstellung (Third German Art Exhibition) in Dresden in 1953. The general public was also informed by the daily newspaper Neues Deutschland, the central organ of the SED, and in a report in the magazine Bildende Kunst, the bust is described as impressive, humanly warm and lively.

At Humboldt-Universität, the bust was unveiled in front of the Senate Hall together with the new foyer in the university’s main building. However, it did not remain solely a symbol of socialist universities, but also found its way into the urban space. In honour of the 100th anniversary of Marx’s death in 1983, a bust of Marx was erected on Straußberger Platz – presumably the copy at Humboldt University, which received a second cast in 1984 –, until now, this has been the only one remaining in public view. In 1991, the Humboldt University bust was removed by decision of the university administration and taken to storage. The bust was also taken out of sight at other universities.

Framing memories

In 1994, 2016 and 2017, the bust was displayed in exhibitions, but otherwise remained in storage – until now. In January 2026, it was moved to Spandau Citadel (https://www.facebook.com/reel/1405135894314037) and has been on display there since 9 May, alongside the other fallen heroes in the permanent exhibition “Unveiled: Berlin and its Monuments”. Here, it will continue to be ‘not reduced to a simplified political message,’ but, like other GDR monuments, ‘treated as authentic memorabilia and important historical symbols’ (Gomes 2020, p. 113).

Author: Christina Kuhli; this is a slightly revised version based on helpful comments from Prof. Mark Lammert.

Literature:

Karl Marx und die klassische Literatur. Aus den Erinnerungen von Paul Lafargue, in: Neues Deutschland vom 14. März 1953, p. 4;
Helmut Holtzhauer: Die III. Deutsche Kunstausstellung in Dresden, in: Bildende Kunst März/April 1953, pp. 29-35;
Marlies Lammert: Werkverzeichnis, in: Will Lammert, ed. by Peter Feist, Dresden 1963, sculpture no. 146;
Doris Weilandt: Die Marx-Büste von Will Lammert, in: Karl Marx und die Universität Jena, ed. by Joachim Bauer und Stefan Gerber, Jena 2019, pp. 135-142;
Carlos Gomes: Lenin lebt. Seine Denkmäler in Deutschland, Berlin 2020.

Knowledge Exchange, News

Anders geFragt – a new series with Communicator-Preis winner Petra Anders (SAVE THE DATE: 6.7.)

27. April 2026 Leonie Kubigsteltig

#1 How do we learn and act together?

The first event in this new series explores how participatory approaches can shape sustainable learning and practices, and the role that forward-looking science communication and knowledge exchange with society play in this context.

We cordially invite you to the Mechanische Arena in the foyer of the Humboldt Forum on July 6, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. (followed by a reception until 7:30 p.m.).

The evening will be moderated by the 2025 Communicator-Preis winner, Prof. Dr. Petra Anders (German Didactics/Elementary School Teaching, Humboldt-Universität), who will engage in a discussion with selected guests from the fields of science, education, politics, and civil society:

Prof. Dr. Markus Schrenk, Professor of Theoretical Philosophy at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf and initiator of the denXte project
Berit Weiß, science communicator and co-moderator on the denXte team (Communicator Preis – Wissenschaftspreis des Stifterverbands 2022)
Dr. Julia Landgraf, Department lead in Higher Education and Research, Berlin Senate for Studies & Teaching, Teacher Training, Student Affairs, and Equality
Sarah Sune Lenge, Early Career Researcher in Educational Sciences at HU Berlin and Board Member of “International Network of University Workshops e.V.” (NeHIe)

In a dialogical and interactive setting, you as participants are also invited to share your perspectives and discuss key issues at the intersection of science, education, and society together with the panelists.

The opening remarks will be delivered by Prof. Dr. Julia von Blumenthal, President of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. The event is presented by Zentrum für Kulturtechnik (ZfK) at Humboldt-Universität with the kind support of the Stifterverband and the German Research Foundation (DFG).

Participation is free of charge. Please register at: wissensaustausch.zfk@hu-berlin.de

Photo: Stefan Klenke

Knowledge Exchange, News, Object Lab

Dancing Physics at Elementary School: Project Week WisTanz

24. April 2026 Leonie Kubigsteltig

A workshop week titled “WisTanz” took place from April 13–17 in collaboration with a 6th-grade class at Neues Tor Elementary School. With this project, the Center for Cultural Techniques (ZfK) is launching a partnership with the State run German-Portuguese European School, which is located in the immediate vicinity of Humboldt University’s North Campus. Other partner schools in the project are the Kolumbus Elementary School in Reinickendorf and the Albert Gutzmann School in Wedding.

The children were invited to come to the Object Lab at the ZfK for two hours each day to explore the invisible phenomena of theoretical physics through dance: How do the smallest particles move? What keeps planets in their orbits? What is relativity? Why is gravity so important? And how does it feel when “everything is connected to everything else”?

The project was developed by Berlin-based choreographer Irina Demina in collaboration with theoretical physicists Prof. Valentina Forini and Dr. Allison Pinto from Humboldt University as part of the “WisTanz at Elementary Schools” program and commissioned and supported by the Team for Knowledge Exchange with Society at the Center for Cultural Techniques.

The workshop was marked by a lively exchange: The children asked numerous questions and participated actively and with great curiosity. Many expressed great interest in learning other subjects, such as math, English, or art, through dance. Combining scientific content with creative methods allowed for a playful approach in which scientific thinking complemented artistic forms of expression while fostering body awareness and collaborative work.

The project aims to provide early access to science for everyone.

A taster for children ages 7 and up will be part of the Long Night of the Sciences program on June 6th at the Institute of Physics (3.101, 3rd floor) in Adlershof:

5:15–5:45 p.m.

6:15–6:45 p.m.

For questions about the project contact: wissensaustausch.zfk@hu-berlin.de

To find out more about Dance and Science at HU Berlin watch the Video

Photos Stefan Klenke

Irina Demina is a choreographer, artistic researcher, and educator. In 2024, she founded SCARBOD Lab—a transdisciplinary platform for body-based formats at the intersection of science and art. In 2025, she was an artist-in-residence at the ZfK (HU) and is currently working on “Science on the Dancefloor” (University of Tübingen).

Dr. Allison Pinto is a ‘sciencefluencer’, physicist, and administrative lead at the Institute of Physics (HU). In 2022, she launched the YouTube channel “Non-Standard Models” together with other members of the Research Training Group “Rethinking Quantum Field Theory.” She also shares physics and mathematics concepts on Instagram and TikTok—sometimes through dance.

Knowledge Exchange, News, Object Lab

Dancing Physics at Elementary School: Project week WisTanz

24. April 2026 Leonie Kubigsteltig

The project aims to provide early access to science for everyone.

A taster for children ages 7 and up will be part of the Long Night of the Sciences program on June 6th at the Institute of Physics (3.101, 3rd floor) in Adlershof:

5:15–5:45 p.m.

6:15–6:45 p.m.

For questions about the project contact: wissensaustausch.zfk@hu-berlin.de

To find out more about Dance and Science at HU Berlin watch the Video

Photos Stefan Klenke

BUA, Event, Knowledge Exchange, News, Third Mission

Workshop-Conference: Learning, Teaching, and Researching with Society

24. April 2026 Xenia Muth

Engagement with societal stakeholders is one of the four key pillars of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science: individuals and institutions from society should be actively involved in the creation of knowledge and scientific processes should be made more transparent, inclusive and accessible to a broader public through participatory collaboration.

The HU Office for Public Engagement and Knowledge Exchange with Society at the Zentrum für Kulturtechnik and the BUA Open Science Ambassadors program invite all interested to discuss such innovative collaboration and formats of knowledge exchange between academic, artistic and civil society perspectives at the workshop conference. (Please register here for all or for selected events of the day, please note that some events will take place in German.)

The event highlights collaborations from participatory research and teaching, curatorial practice, as well as artistic-scientific collaboration at Humboldt-Universität. A particular emphasis is placed on the practice of translation between various stakeholders from academia and society in order to shape knowledge production as a shared, dialogical process. The event reflects on translation practices between research and application, between teaching and non-university spaces, and between scientific, artistic, and lived forms of knowledge.

The event provides a space for networking, informal exchange and sharing of hands-on experiences on implementing innovative formats and collaborations in research and teaching in order to contribute to the goals of Open Science: sustainable transparency and inclusivity of science, equitable collaboration and societal participation, and the de-hierarchization of knowledge production.

Time: Friday, June 12, 2026

Place: Zentrum für Kulturtechnik, HU Campus Nord, House 3, Philippstr. 13, 10155 Berlin

Registration: Workshop Conference

Conference Program
Pre-Conference (upon invitation, in German)
09:30-11:30	Pre-Conference: Strategy Workshop for Participatory Research and Teaching at HU Berlin: The exchange between academia and society has always been central to the identity of Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin. Building on this commitment, the university wants to continuously develop its structures and collaborative partnerships to strengthen open science and promote learning, teaching, and research through participatory and transdisciplinary approaches. The workshop focuses on future strategic objectives of public engagement and knowledge exchange with society initiatives at HU. It discusses necessary institutional changes, support structures for engaged university members and next steps. In a World-Café format, participants are invited to exchange perspectives and participate in developing a future strategy. Moderation: Antje Nestler, Co-Creating Futures; Dr. Kristin Werner, Käte Hamburger Kolleg inherit. heritage in transformation, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin / Co-Creating Futures
11:30	Welcome and Coffee
Panel-Discussion „Between University and Society“ (in German)
12:00-13:30	Panel-Discussion „Between University and Society: Translate, Mediate, Unlearn. Reflexive Practices of Knowledge Production”: The intended panel discussion views knowledge exchange as a form of reflexive translation practice between the university and society and will focus on experiences from transdisciplinary teaching, participatory research and arts-science collaboration. The discussion will explore how knowledge production can be shaped without reproducing existing hierarchies and exclusions and what role reflection, unlearning, and situated practice play in this process. At the same time, the panel does not merely discuss translation, mediation, and unlearning, but addresses these questions by reflecting on project experiences using the DCRP approach (Decolonial Critical Reflective Practice). The discussion will particularly examine the disparity between initial expectations and the experiences gained during implementation, and create a space to reflect on tensions and misunderstandings in the research process as well as the associated learning processes. Moderation: Dr. Alia Rayyan, Researcher “Theory and Practice of Curating,” Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Guests: – Dr. Nadja-Christina Schneider, Department of Asian and African Studies, South Asian Studies, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Adela Taleb, Department of European Ethnology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Dr. Pegah Byroun-Wand, Institut of Art Studies and Historical Urban Studies, Technische Universität Berlin
13:30-14:20	Lunch Break
In-Practice Discussion „Teaching and Learning with Society und Lehren“ (in German)
14:20-15:20	In-Practice Discussion I: Situated Practice & Place-Based Learning: The discussion focuses on concepts, methods, and practical experiences with approaches to learning in collaboration with society, specifically related to situated practice and community-based learning. Learning is understood as a process embedded in social, spatial and societal contexts, in which students and projects collaborate with non-university partners and local communities, linking academic questions to real-world societal challenges. The session will discuss opportunities, challenges and conditions surrounding participatory and place-based projects that design academic work as a shared, reciprocal space of knowledge and include societal perspectives. Moderation: Dr. Jana Wendler, Berlin School of Public Engagement and Open Science Guests: – Prof. Dr. Elisabeth Verhoeven, Department of German Language and Linguistics, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Juana Awad, Researcher, Curator, inherit Fellow 2024/25 – Dr. Léa Perraudin, Department of Cultural and Media Theory, Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Paz Ponce, Curator for Outreach, Tieranatomisches Theater, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
15:30-16:30	In-Practice Discussion II: Practicioners in Teaching and Teacher Training: This discussion explores how to successfully involve external partnerships and society participants in teacher education. Collaborations with schools, civil society initiatives, cultural institutions and local organizations enable prospective teachers to integrate pedagogical practice with social perspectives, to understand schools as part of a social and democratic environment, and to experiment with creative methods in learning and teaching. The panel facilitates a discussion on potential opportunities, creative collaborations and experiences in working with societal partners in teacher education. Moderation: Prof. Dr. Niels Pinkwart, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Guests: – Prof. Dr. Petra Anders, Department of Education, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Dr. Julia Frohn, Central Institute Professional School of Education, Research and Transfer, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Maike Löhden, Department of Education, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Irina Demina, Choreographer, artistic researcher, teacher
16:30-17:00	Coffee Break
Performative Encounters „Embodied Futures: Knowledge and Movement“ (in Englisch)
	Embodied Futures: Knowledge and Movement: What role does the body play as a source of insight in a post-digital knowledge culture? What epistemic perspectives do body-based approaches open up for learning and research processes that are traditionally strongly cognition-centered? Two interactive presentations and a panel discussion will demonstrate how creative collaborations between science, art, and society address these questions. The event provides insight into projects of the new Public Engagement Hub “Embodied Futures: Knowledge and Movement” at ZfK. The Hub views knowledge production as a collaborative process and supports projects and teaching formats that explore creative embodied approaches as research method, teaching medium and outreach format, and develop scientific-artistic-practical work as participatory practice.
17:00-17:50	Performative Encounter I: Prof. Dr. Shintaro Miyazaki & Irina Demina
18:00-18:50	Performative Encounter II: Anna Schäffner & Michaela Filzi
19:00-20:00	Panel-Discussion on Public Engagement Hub “Embodied Futures: Knowledge and Movement”. Moderation: Leonie Kubigsteltig, Office for Public Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, Zentrum für Kulturtechnik Guests: – Irina Demina, Choreographer, artistic researcher, teacher – Anna Schäffner, Matters of Activity, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin – Michaela Filzi, Multidisciplinary artist, dancer, eco-somatic researcher – Dr. Jeanette Ehrmann, Department of Social Sciences, Political Theory, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
Following	Drinks and Networking

Organized by

HU Office for Public Engagement and Knowledge Exchange with Society at the Zentrum für Kulturtechnik, HU Berlin’s central office for participatory research, teaching, and practice
ZfK department “Theory and Practice of Interdisciplinary Curating,” Chair for inter- and transdisciplinary engagement with curatorial practices (supported by Bundesbeauftragten für Kultur und Medien)
BUA Ambassadors for Open Science program with Xenia Muth and Dr. Alia Rayyan (Zentrum für Kulturtechnik) as Open Science Ambassadors 2025–26

Photo: Stefan Klenke

News

Festival of Kinship – Given or Chosen?

22. April 2026 Anna Grodecki

Saturday May 1 – Sunday May 2, 2026 as part of the exhibition "Beziehungsweise Familie" (Family Matters)

We all live in relation. This reality inspires a two-day festival at the Humboldt Forum that deals with biological or chosen family, kinship, ancestry and other intimate relationship constellations in which most of us are involved. You can look forward to a festival of togetherness and participation with concerts, dynamic dance performances, friendly chatbots, readings, games and curatorial insights in the special exhibitions on Family Matters.

With: Kim de l’Horizon, Lilibeth Cuenca Rasmussen, Black Dads Germany, Suli Puschban, Li Binyuan, Ernest and Theo Thiesmeier, Raymond Liew Jin Pin and many more.

Performances and Interaction

On May 1, we explore the feeling of “oneness,” including through a performance by the artist duo Mwangi Hutter. Oneness celebrates people who have found connection despite their very different backgrounds.

In The Mitochondrial Eve, Lilibeth Cuenca Rasmussen reflects on the shifting, multifaceted role of motherhood.

How do we build intimacy? In Raymond Liew Jin Pin’s When Two Flowers Meet, dancing ribbons form brief and delicate connections.

Curious visitors can “befriend” a chatbot in the interactive installation be mAI friend.

Kristy Nataraja’s animated dance Transpersonal leads into the Africa and Oceania collections of the Ethnological Museum.

In the foyer, Li Binyuan’s performance Plaza invites everyone to recognize a familiar person using nothing but their voice.

In Conversation

Theo and Ernest Thiesmeier present their new film Familie sein. The premiere is accompanied by a conversation with Theo Thiesmeier’s entire patchwork family.

German Book Prize winner Kim de l’Horizon delivers a lecture-performance on terrestrial kinship – drawing on their Blutbuch (2022). My Migrant Mama invite you to tea, intergenerational conversation and nail polish.

Preparing food for someone is a form of communication – join the conversation in the Cooking Box by the duo groundtable.

Children’s Programme

On May 1, there will be a concert featuring the witty musician Suli Puschban.

In the Living Room, new books by Black Dads Germany from the recent Book-A-Thon in the Humboldt Forum will be read.

Everyone is invited to take part in the interactive, multigenerational guided tour of the exhibition Family Matters to discover what family means to them.

With African Street Games, the Humboldt Forum transforms into a lively playground.

The programme is complemented by Korean-German Story Theatre.

Festival of Kinship – Given or Chosen:

Sat, 01.05.2026, 10:30–18:30
Sun, 02.05.2026, 10:30–18:30

See here for more information on Festival of Kinship – Given or Chosen?

Photo: Thementage III “Schicksal oder Wahl?”

Artwork of the month, News

Object of the Month: Dressed to impress – Frederick II by Moritz Götze

15. April 2026 HZK

Object of the Month 04/2026

First for adults, then children’s toys

In his typical pop art style, Halle-based painter Moritz Götze (* 1964) refers in his collage to the so-called cut-out sheets or jumping jacks and dress-up figures that were popular since the 18th century and especially in the 19th century, in the beginning as a pastime for adults and later mainly for children. Jumping jacks appeared in Paris in the mid-18th century and were initially enjoyed by aristocratic adults. The individual parts (head, body, arms and legs, as well as attributes) were printed on a sheet, cut out and assembled. The repertoire included various professions and social classes, peoples from all over the world, Commedia dell’arte characters and animals. Soldiers and military figures were also a focus of this art form, which was characterised by its flatness and emphasised typification. Well-known political figures, especially monarchs and high-ranking military officers, were caricatured as jumping jacks, i.e. figures of fun.

Dress-up figures, on the other hand, originate from the world of fashion and first appeared with accessories as supplements in English fashion magazines at the end of the 18th century before becoming popular toys, especially for girls.

A picture book of life

On a larger scale and using enamel techniques, Moritz Götze presents the Prussian King Frederick II in the manner of a dress-up figure, surrounded by – or connected with simulated folding tabs – characteristic motifs. As in real life, he is faithfully accompanied by his greyhound (perhaps his dog Biche). The cannon and drum refer to the wars he waged (the Silesian Wars, the Seven Years’ War). Frederick was particularly fond of cherries and had them cultivated. The motifs of spade and potatoes follow the popular, albeit not entirely accurate, narrative according to which the Prussian king introduced the potato to Prussia as a food for the people. A bust of Voltaire is also included to refer to his correspondence with the enlightened monarch. His musical talent and his own writings are illustrated by musical notes with a feather and inkwell as well as documents. Finally, there is a tobacco tin (Frederick frequently consumed snuff) and a medallion with a portrait of a woman and an officer’s cap with the Order of the Black Eagle. Both the altered proportions and the material counteract its use as a children’s toy and play with the image of the Soldier King.

Vivid history

Götze also dealt with other personalities from German history (Martin Luther, Wilhelm I, Fürst Pückler) and created history and stories for the German Bundestag in a modern, striking visual language. The supposed heroes of history are remembered, but without pathos, using pop art and comic strip language.

Author: Christina Kuhli

Literature:

https://www.bundestag.de/besuche/kunst/zeitgenoessische_kuenstler/goetze-576304 [last access: 09.01.2026];
Sigrid Metken: Geschnittenes Papier. Eine Geschichte des Ausschneidens in Europa von 1500 bis heute, München 1978;
Heilige, Herrscher, Hampelmänner. Bilderbogen aus Weißenburg, Ausst.-Kat. Badisches Landesmuseum Karlsruhe/ Wissembourg, Grange aux Dîmes 1999, Stuttgart 1999;
Juliane Bardt: Kunst aus Papier. Zur Ikonographie eines plastischen Werkmaterials der zeitgenössischen Kunst (= Studien zur Kunstgeschichte, Bd. 169), Hildesheim/Zürich/New York 2006.

Hermann von Helmholtz-Zentrum für Kulturtechnik

Zentralinstitut der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin

Category Archives: News

Lecture series “Beziehungsweise Familie” (Family Matters) – June 17, 2026 with Andrej Holm

The housing crisis as a breaking point for intimate relations – On living together in times of scarcity

Lecture series “Beziehungsweise Familie” (Family Matters) – Workshop Exploring Family Dynamics, June 3, 2026

Insoluble Family Problems?

Exploring Family Dynamics: An Introduction to Constellation Exercises (limited number of participants)

Theresa Adam (Qualified psychologist and alternative practitioner specialising in psychotherapy, Berlin)

Lecture series “Beziehungsweise Familie” (Family Matters) – May 20, 2026 with Jürgen Dinkel

Everything remains in the family. A history of inheritance since 1800

Object of the Month: Spring awakening in Spandau – Karl Marx

Rise and fall – From the new foyer to the basement

Framing memories

Anders geFragt – a new series with Communicator-Preis winner Petra Anders (SAVE THE DATE: 6.7.)

Dancing Physics at Elementary School: Project Week WisTanz

Dancing Physics at Elementary School: Project week WisTanz

Workshop-Conference: Learning, Teaching, and Researching with Society

Conference Program

Festival of Kinship – Given or Chosen?

Saturday May 1 – Sunday May 2, 2026 as part of the exhibition "Beziehungsweise Familie" (Family Matters)

Performances and Interaction

In Conversation

Children’s Programme

Object of the Month: Dressed to impress – Frederick II by Moritz Götze

First for adults, then children’s toys

A picture book of life

Vivid history

Zentralinstitut der Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin