Not new versus old, rather, new combined with old. The power of contrast.
In 1943, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church in Berlin, known locally as Gedächtniskirche, was almost completely destroyed during an air raid. Rather than demolishing what was left, they turned the ruins into a beautiful memorial of peace and reconciliation. Part of the beauty is due to the power of contrast; they constructed a brand new, modern church right next door.
The original church was built as a memorial to the first German emperor, Wilhelm Friedrich Ludwig, by his grandson, Friedrich Wilhelm Viktor Albrecht von Preußen. A design competition was held and won by famous German architect, Franz Schwechten. Built in the beautiful, classic Romanesque style, it was started in 1891 and completed in 1906.
The power of contrast.
The new church consists of four buildings designed by Egon Eiermann, a well-known, late 20th century German architect. Although designed in a completely contrasting style, the modern addition is truly spectacular. The walls of the church are made of a concrete honeycomb that holds over 20,000 stained glass tiles.
On VisitBerlin.de, was a beautiful description, “the church not only consists of the ruins of the church which was destroyed during World War II but it also includes contemporary church architecture. It is thus a living contrast between modernism and history.”
A living contrast, I love that phrase. The Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church is a physical, even tangible, example of overcoming the potential tension of contrast, instead, finding a way to make it work harmoniously together.
This touching story and the power of contrast have inspired several CED pieces.
The beautiful power of contrast.
CED custom two tone ring with oval diamond
CED rings with contrasting finish
