Kintsugi

Kintsugi - the golden scar of the Humboldt Forum - runs through the façade as a glowing crack. It deliberately stands out from the perfection of the sandstone baroque and provides a visible counterpoint: a crack that is not hidden, but highlighted with gold. Inspired by the Japanese technique of Kintsugi, in which broken ceramics are repaired with gold, the installation shows that fractures do not signify weakness, but instead become valuable scars when they are revealed and healed. Kintsugi transforms the wound of the past into a powerful symbol of healing, change and diversity.

The Kintsugi not only stands for structural breaks, but also for the Humboldt Forum's colonial past. The debate about looted art such as the Benin bronzes shows: Historical wounds lie open. Kintsugi refuses to hide this wound. The crack cuts through the magnificent façade as a memorial to the fact that colonial ruptures in our history must remain visible to this day. The shape of the scar is reminiscent of veins that connect past and present, tree roots that provide stability and lightning bolts that symbolize transformation - a strong sign of openness, diversity and cultural exchange.

"Fall down seven times, get up eight times." (七転び八起き) - Unknown

The "Kintsugi" is made from high-quality stainless steel and finished with a gold-colored PVD coating (Physical Vapor Deposition). This technique ensures a uniform, metallic gold look that is UV-resistant, scratch-proof and weatherproof. The installation is carried out in four modular segments, which are attached directly to the façade along the grain using visible screw fittings. This open installation method emphasizes the symbolism of the wound, which deliberately remains visible. The screws act like surgical staples that do not conceal the crack but present it as part of the healing process. The three-dimensional structure protrudes from the façade and creates a lively interplay of light and shadow that makes the scar appear differently depending on the time of day. This deliberate exposure of the fractures makes Kintsugi a powerful symbol of openness, healing and a conscious approach to history by making the connection between past and future impressively visible.

The "Kintsugi" runs through the façade like a luminous ribbon, marking breaks, uniting opposites and telling the story of a place that does not hide its wounds, but proudly displays them as part of its identity.

"The wound is the place where the light enters you."
- Rumi (Jalal ad-Din Rumi, 13th century)