Günter Starke Dresden-Neustadt, Sebnitzer Straße . Family H.

Dresden-Neustadt, Sebnitzer Straße . Family H.
Dresden-Neustadt, Sebnitzer Straße . Family H. Dresden-Neustadt, Prießnitzstraße 39 . Sense of time – child’s play Dresden-Neustadt, Kamenzer Straße . Sebastian K. before leaving the country

My photos are part of an extensive documentation of life in the Äußere Neustadt, a district of Dresden. The Äußere Neustadt, where I have lived since 1980, was threatened with the demolition of Wilhelmine buildings and the construction of soulless WBS 70 slab buildings. I was interested in the diversity of the lifestyles there; the creativity in niches that the state found very difficult to control; the attempt to organise a “normal” life amidst the crumbling buildings; the co-existence of aggression and solidarity. 

I approached my environment via “chance” photos taken on streets, in courtyards and play-grounds (exemplified in the photo “Kinderspiel” – child‘s play). These pictures served to open the doors to the shops, workshops and ultimately the homes of my neighbours. 

In 1989 the GDR was tangible in this part of Dresden more than any other. Neighbours were leaving the country constantly; many people gave up trying in resignation or retreated into their niches. Artists in the district began to organise and protest. I attempted to capture all of this with my “neutral eye”. 

Today, 20 years later, I am happy that the building stock of our attractive district could be sav-ed, but regret the so-called “social upgrading”, which is merely a form of social selection and standardisation. Vitality disappears and is replaced by consumption.