"Escape and Escapism: Art and the GDR".

A one-day symposium organised to coincide with the exhibition ‘Escape from Colditz’ by Leipzig-based artist Annette Schröter at the Robert Cripps Gallery, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge.
An international array of speakers will discuss creative legacies in visual arts, architecture, photography, film, dance and literature from the GDR.

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PROGRAMME:

NOVEMBER 15, 2025:
Magdalene College Auditorium, 3 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, United Kingdom CB4 3AD

10.00 am – Introduction and Welcome: Silke Mentchen, University of Cambridge & co-curator ‘Escape from Colditz’

10.15 am – Two Who Escaped: Georg Baselitz and A R Penck: Richard Calvocoressi, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge

10.45 am – The DDR in the Humboldt Forum: Wolfgang Mattheuer’s Painting 'Guten Tag': Neil MacGregor, Former Director, British Museum (London) & Humboldt Forum (Berlin).

11.15 am – Visit to exhibition and lunch (own arrangements)

1.30 pm – Christa Wolf ’s 'Juninachmittag': Georgina Paul, University of Oxford

2.00 pm – ‘Escape to Rabbit Land’ – Escape and Inner Emigration in GDR and (post) GDR Photography: Matthew Shaul, Queen Mary University of London & co-curator ‘Escape from Colditz’

3.00 pm – Cybernetics and Simulacra: Remediating Halle-Neustadt Public Art: Stephan Ehrig, University of Glasgow

3.30 pm – Was Bleibt? The Politics of East German Dance: Marion Kant, University of Cambridge

4.00 pm – 5 pm – Final Discussion

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The admission is free, however, booking is essential. Please follow this link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/escape-and-escapism-art-and-the-gdr-tickets-1776955705349

For further information on the exhibition please visit: https://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/events/escape-colditz-papercuts-collage-and-installation.