News
Poetry of a City-Above and Below (DE)
craig stennett
Jul 31, 2021
I‘ve been commissioned as part of an Arts group project to produce a book on the City of Halle (Saale). I chose to document Halle Neustadt, which to me has a fascinating history. I‘ll be working on the book, on and off, for about the next year and I‘m paired up with a German writer for the text. Today I was primarily concentrating around the Y Buildings, as they are known. The Y Buildings are a unique form of architecture within the time frame of the DDR-which was when they were constructed. Indeed Halle Neustadt inaugural date-when the foundation stone was laid- was 15 July 1964 with Horst Sindermann, First Secretary of the SED district leadership in Halle, laying the foundation stone for the construction of the new socialist town. It seems to me though, on reflection, that cities are not just about architecture but about life. Its holiday season here at the moment. Many of my 'contacts' with in Neustadt are back in place in a couple of weeks and then I think I will shift into gear in engaging with the good people of Halle Neustadt for some more interactive imagery.
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