Prototyp 1928-33

A book of materials about a forgotten building of workers' education in Leipzig: The "School of Work" was a model project of workers' education under the direction of Gertrud Hermes (1872–1942). With the new building designed by architect Johannes Niemeyer (1889–1980), a modern space was created in Leipzig in 1928, intended for the communal living and learning of young workers. The SA raid in the spring of 1933 and the confiscation of the building by the National Socialists brought the educational project to an end. "Prototype 1928–33" was created after extensive archival research by the artist Ute Richter. The book juxtaposes historical images of the forgotten building with quotations from young workers in order to reconnect the educational content with the spatial concept of the new building. Excerpts from official documents supplement texts on the historical context and the artistic appropriation. "Prototype 1928–33" demonstrates what education means for the preservation of democratic structures.