Ministry of War © Lilly Schwartz 2012
Is it only me or is it somewhat disturbing that the German Ministry of Finance is now located in the building that used to be the Ministry of War before and during WW2? The fate of Europe is again being decided in the same ridiculously oppressive building. We were actually on the way to the Architects of the Revolution exhibition in the Martin Gropius Bau, but passed by the Topography of Terror exhibition from where you can see this bit of the wall and the Ministry of War / Finance.
I have to say though that the names of the ministries were definitely more honest back then. Names like ‘Ministry of Defence’ or ‘Ministry of Finance’ don’t really capture the imperialist attitudes still conveyed by the foreign politics of several countries (US, UK, Germany etc). How about giving the Ministry of Finance a more appropriate name like Ministry of Mayhem and Destruction?
Interesting photo, with “strange” connection between the wall (ex) and this sad dark building just behind.
robert
PS: no, it is not only you.
Well, the Ministry of War and the wall are like cause and effect in some way. I still can’t quite believe how the buildings around it got badly damaged during the war, while this one wasn’t. Maybe it was purposefully left standing. Thanks for stopping by Robert!
You’ve certainly captured a very sinister atmosphere. Great photograph.
Thanks Richard! I really looked hard for the right angle after discovering the building just days before.
Much credit on this, for your text, the metaphorical connection, and the geometry of the photo. Metaphor is part of the highest level of picture taking. On top of that you allowed the building to look like a dreary prison scene (and guess who are the prisoners). The only step better would be a darker sky… or maybe better yet lighting bolts. Lord have mercy on us.
Thank you for your comments liramusic. Actually, I already darkened the sky quite a bit and since I was playing around with it for a while I realised that anything darker would have looked fake. I actually prefer that it looks like a storm is brewing, but that it’s not quite there yet.
Looks like a damn horror movie. Sorry for losing composure. Darn, look at that beast of a structure.
Exactly my reaction when I walked around this building. I took many more pictures, but only this one really managed to capture how creepy this building really is, especially since it’s right next to the Topography of Terror exhibition.
Hey… remember Pink Floyd, the wall.
That building gives me the creeps; wow, what a photo idea; your good.
Thanks liramusic, encouragement like this is always appreciated 🙂
Hahaha… I don’t think your feelings about this place influenced the shot at all.
It’s really very cheerful looking, Ms. S.
😉
Alfred Hitchcock would have LLooved this building. :)) spilledinkguy made me laugh but yessss, and could we get Bela Lugosi to return from the grave (he died in 1956) and I’ll start working on the script tonight at midnight… yes. We’ll keep the whole film in contrasty B&W, yes.
Ok… We need Bela Lugosi back from the grave. He died in 1956, but that’s ok. We’ll make a movie. Yess. that’s it. A movie… heh heh heh heh… I want a thunder storm and maybe just one raven or a bunch. Minimalism. Slow steps showing just the shoes. Empty hallways.