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Canada Commemorates the Fall of the Berlin Wall with “Freedom Rocks”

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  This is the largest display of original Berlin Wall pieces outside of Germany
This is the largest display of original Berlin Wall pieces outside of Germany, complete with a 32 foot-tall watchtower that was originally situated at Checkpoint Charlie, the best-known crossing point between East and West Berlin. Arlington Va, 2003 | Chromogenic Prints | Blake Fitzpatrick & Vid Ingelevics"
 

The Canadian Embassy in Berlin marked the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall with the launch of two unique art exhibitions – “Freedom Rocks” and Images of the Berlin Wall” - on November 2nd, 2009. Visitors can view the exhibition from until December 18 in the Canadian Embassy’s state-of-the-art Marshall McLuhan Salon and experience the story of the Berlin Wall through first-time digitalized historical photos and modern art.

  Ambassador Peter Boehm addresses guests at the opening of the exhibition, in the Marshall McLuhan Salon
Ambassador Peter Boehm addresses guests at the opening of the exhibition, in the Marshall McLuhan Salon

The commemoration is a historical documentation and a positive expression of the future. The exhibits will leave visitors contemplating their understandings of democracy, freedom, and global citizenship.

“Freedom Rocks” is an art project by Blake Fitzpatrick and Vid Ingelevics that presents the aftermath of the Berlin Wall in the memory and space of North America through images that reveal where pieces of the fallen wall remain today. These rocks are no longer a symbol for division, but for freedom of expression and democracy.
 
“Images of the Berlin Wall” features 220 first-time digitalized historical photographs that tell the story of the Berlin Wall. These images are taken from the Black Star Collection of the Black Star photo agency – a leader of photojournalism whose founders fled Berlin in the 1930’s. Over 3,000 outstanding photographers whose influence shaped photographic practice in the 20th century produced the work that makes up this collection.
 

  A Dividing Line - Cpl. John Sousa and PFC Fred Lisk, members of an army infantry unit look over the signs marking a road blockade between East and West Germany *.
A Dividing Line - Cpl. John Sousa and PFC Fred Lisk, members of an army infantry unit look over the signs marking a road blockade between East and West Germany*.

Are you in Canada?

View the “Images of the Berlin Wall” and Freedom Rocks Exhibition at the German Consulate-General in Toronto between October 1 - November 27, 2009.

This transatlantic event was made possible with close collaboration, support, and financial contributions from Ryerson University (Toronto), Bombardier Transportation, “2009 jahre mauerfall” and the German Consulate-General in Toronto.

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* Official U.S. Army Photo released by the Dept. of Defense September 8, 1954
Image from the Black Star Collection at Ryerson University
 

Date Modified: 2010-04-22

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