Rethinking Bismarck, Hamburg, Germany

Decolonising is a process. For this reason, this proposal cannot suggest a solution for a complex and complicated monument but instead proposes a place and space to support, encourage, sustain, and advocate a public and open process of decolonising. To mark the evolving, ‘work-in progress’ nature of this process, we propose to encase the Bismarck Monument in scaffolding which will expand the visibility of the monument while making itself invisible. The scaffolding will not completely hide the monument but will suggest an instability and volatility of ‘hiding while revealing’, highlighting the unresolved history and need to foster critical debates in attempts to find adequate responses. But not only the size and gesture of the scaffold but its function to disrupt a common view and disguise a familiar element of public space should serve as a stimulus to question, search for answers, attract visits and gathering. While visible from afar and from multiple points within the city, the scaffolding will also serve as a reminder of the work that needs to be undertaken to decolonise Hamburg. In many respects, with the monument encased by scaffolding, the project ‘Decolonise Hamburg!’ will receive its most visible public manifestation as work in process and under construction while equally supporting connotations of processes of maintenance, care, repair, and healing.

“Work in Progress”, shortlisted entry for Rethinking Bismarck competition.

In collaboration with Desiree Dibasen Nanuses and Dr. Jana Scholze