A Scenic Stage as a Trade Fair Stand
She stopped by the stand because it »really stood out from the others«, says a Leipzig Book Fair visitor of the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s stand. And because she finds the hustle and bustle of the publishing stands in the exhibition halls to be too much, she particularly enjoys coming here and being able to browse through such great and unusual books. She is especially interested in typography, which drew her to a book printed in red on white and deals with signets, pictograms and lettering by a VK student.
Her assessment is spot on: »Different« perfectly describes the Bauhaus-Universität Weimar’s Book Fair stand. And this is intentional; every year, the university represents itself with a unique stand that acts as a metaphor for what to expect in Weimar if you take up a degree programme there: Creative spirit, individuality, solidarity, and commitment. A »just do it« attitude, if you will. Every year, a new approach emerges from this idea. It is then implemented with great attention to detail.
This year, the design submitted by Hauke Scholz was chosen. It plays with the fantasy of having a metro travel between Leipzig and Weimar, linking big city and small town, Book Fair hustle and bustle and relaxed campus atmosphere. The fine arts approach is an homage to Martin Kippenberger's worldwide metro network. The idea is charming on its own, but it was perfected by subtle, well-chosen moments of disorientation that only become visible at second glance.
The floor was specially designed to quickly show signs of wear and tear. The more guests who visit the stand, the »scruffier« it gets. Imaginary pigeons are deterred by wire precautions and a dead rat is featured on the ground. Artfully knitted graffiti adorns the gloomy walls. The association leans towards an underground station on the edge of a glamorous metropolis, beyond the glamour, reminiscent of »film noir« backdrop. Mysterious sounds coming from inside the station reinforce the fantasy. Upon closer inspection, the sounds turn out to be the soundtracks to short student films, shown on a screen in the lower part of the installation. And: An astonishing number of Book Fair visitors are brave enough to take a peek at the »dark and sinister underground«, which is quickly revealed to be quite harmless.
Stage design, film set, artistic installation - this year's Book Fair stand can be read and understood in many different ways. It already received considerable recognition on the first day. University President Prof. Peter Benz and State Secretary Dr. Bernd-Uwe Althaus from the Thuringian Wissenchaftsministerium both attended the opening and ceremoniously cut the »red ribbon«. Ulrike Köppel from the Weimar GmbH stated enthusiastically that it was her »favourite ›Thuringian stand‹ at the Book Fair«.
On the first day of the Fair, there is always »something going on« at the stand, representing a resounding success for the seven students who have been putting all their energy and commitment into the stand over the past days and weeks. There is exhaustion written all over their faces on the opening morning of 27 March, but it borders between »tired and euphoric«. Everyone involved in the stand had been hard at work until midnight: Some were cutting and pasting together pieces of GDR woodchip wallpaper for the floor, while others painted the walls. Freie Kunst student Laura Usai was busy into the night writing lyrics for the opening performance at the opening event.
It is important to emphasise at this point that none of this would have been possible without Florian Hesselbarth, the artistic staff member from the Professorship of »Kunst und sozialer Raum«, who fearlessly took on this risk. As the creative mind, motivator, and project leader, he consistently pursued the vision of the stand on a tight budget from the very beginning and made it possible in the first place with his constant good humour and positive energy. Many thanks, Florian. The team now has three exciting days ahead of them at the Book Fair packed with visitors and discussions about books, art, Weimar, and life in general. We wish you good luck!
Participating students: Bruno Domingos, Johannes Fest, Pauline Kuritz, Bennet Mielke, Christina Marie Reinfant, Sina Robering, Denise Sawade, Hauke Scholz
Text: Claudia Weinreich
Photos: Thomas Müller
