The Shortlist of the Alfred Fried Photography Award 2015
Conversion
With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War the largest military disarmament in history began. Of the world-wide closures Germany is the most affected.
1994. A look at Brandenburg.
‘Wjunsdorf’, as the place was called by the Russians, is the seat of the Supreme Command of the Soviet Armed Forces in Germany. Within a fenced and walled enclosure are numerous Soviet facilities, such as kindergartens, schools and shops. The former headquarters of the Supreme Command of the German Wehrmacht is now home to - at its peak - 50,000 to 75,000 Soviet men, women and children. The withdrawal of the troops in 1994 leaves behind an entire deserted town.
Wünsdorf is just one example of many abandoned military sites in East and West Germany.
Military sites in very poor condition and hazardously contaminated remain.
The transformation of former military facilities for civilian use for communities therefore poses considerable challenges. A new use has to be found for areas that have often been ignored in urban planning. Financing the conversion causes considerable problems to the communities and the withdrawal of troops in Germany is accompanied by the loss of 129 000 jobs.
The conversion process begins ...
2011. A look at Brandenburg
Bushes and shrubs conquer soil contaminated with ammunition, a spaceship-like building is found in a desert scenery - the conversion of former military sites is creating surreal landscapes in Germany. About 20 years after the withdrawal of the Allied Forces, the conversion of some areas has already been completed, in others it has not even begun. In these nature is taking possession of the military remains. The examination of the current character and use of these military areas allows a differentiated view of this long-term conversion process in Germany.
With the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War the largest military disarmament in history began. Of the world-wide closures Germany is the most affected.
1994. A look at Brandenburg.
‘Wjunsdorf’, as the place was called by the Russians, is the seat of the Supreme Command of the Soviet Armed Forces in Germany. Within a fenced and walled enclosure are numerous Soviet facilities, such as kindergartens, schools and shops. The former headquarters of the Supreme Command of the German Wehrmacht is now home to - at its peak - 50,000 to 75,000 Soviet men, women and children. The withdrawal of the troops in 1994 leaves behind an entire deserted town.
Wünsdorf is just one example of many abandoned military sites in East and West Germany.
Military sites in very poor condition and hazardously contaminated remain.
The transformation of former military facilities for civilian use for communities therefore poses considerable challenges. A new use has to be found for areas that have often been ignored in urban planning. Financing the conversion causes considerable problems to the communities and the withdrawal of troops in Germany is accompanied by the loss of 129 000 jobs.
The conversion process begins ...
2011. A look at Brandenburg
Bushes and shrubs conquer soil contaminated with ammunition, a spaceship-like building is found in a desert scenery - the conversion of former military sites is creating surreal landscapes in Germany. About 20 years after the withdrawal of the Allied Forces, the conversion of some areas has already been completed, in others it has not even begun. In these nature is taking possession of the military remains. The examination of the current character and use of these military areas allows a differentiated view of this long-term conversion process in Germany.
