Shoelaces and Poodle Ponies in Prefab Buildings

24.08.2026

Lost and Found

Shoelaces and Poodle Ponies in Prefab Buildings

“Shoelaces and Poodle Ponies in Prefab Buildings” explores the architecture-related art of the GDR on the occasion of Leipzig-Grünau’s 50th anniversary. Sculptures, murals, mosaics, and neon signs shape the neighborhood—some preserved, others gone. As part of “Lost & Found,” Ina Tuscher and Johanna Krümpelbeck collected memories from Grünau residents. Kante Film accompanied them to favorite works and sites of disappeared art.

Credits

This video series was created as part of the project “Of Shoelaces and Poodle Ponies in Prefab Buildings.” It tells the story of works of art that have shaped the everyday lives of many people in Grünau. The focus is on people’s personal perspectives on GDR-era architecture-related art in their surroundings—on works that continue to shape the cityscape today, as well as those that have long since disappeared.
A joint project of the City of Leipzig and the Wüstenrot Foundation in cooperation with Stadtkuratorin Leipzig—the program for art in public spaces commissioned by the Office of Cultural Affairs. The educational series “Lost & Found” was developed in cooperation with the KOMM-Haus Grünau / Sociocultural Center “Die VILLA.” The project is part of the Wüstenrot Foundation’s “Construction-Related Art in the GDR” program.

Video Production: Kante Film
Graphics: Katharina Köhler & Vicky Blake
Research: Antje Kirsch & Tanja Scheffler
Lost & Found Team: Johanna Krümpelbeck, Ina Tuscher, Julia Kurz in collaboration with the Komm-Haus

25.08.2026

Leisure and Recreation

Shoelaces and Poodle Ponies in Prefab Buildings!

What stories do the works of art in Grünau tell—and what memories do people associate with them? In the second part of our series “Lost & Found,” Christa Merkel visits the sculpture “Leisure and Recreation” (1986) by Peter Schremmer. She explains why this work of art remains, to this day, a symbol of life in Grünau for her and what memories she associates with the place.

Credits

26.08.2026

The Fish Fountain

Shoelaces and Poodle Ponies in Prefab Buildings

Sometimes it’s the little things that a neighborhood is missing. Karin Färber recalls the fountain with the fish—a popular gathering place and playground in Grünau. The fish spurted water from its mouth, and children played around the fountain. The bronze sculpture is part of the Mende Fountain complex and was designed by Otto Berndt Steffen in 1985. After being reinstalled several times, the fish was stolen again this year. All that remains are the memories.

Credits

27.08.2026

Youth

Shoelaces and Poodle Ponies in Prefab Buildings!

Why is it worth preserving public art? Beate Bühner discusses the sculpture “Jugend” (1982) by Irene Marquardt, which many also know by the title “Körperkultur.” For her, the work continues to symbolize Leipzig as a city of sports and the importance of physical activity in public spaces. At the same time, she takes a look at the sculpture’s surroundings and calls for greater attention to be paid to our artistic heritage.

Credits

28.08.2026

Mother with Child

Shoelaces and Poodle Ponies in Prefab Buildings!

Nothing stands here anymore.
In the fifth installment of our series “Lost & Found,” Gudrun Ebert recalls the vanished sculpture “Mother with Child” (1965) by Theo Balden. For her, the artwork was far more than just a sculpture: it reminded her of her mother’s wartime experiences and of how art can preserve personal memories—even long after it has disappeared from the cityscape.

Credits

Video Production: Kante Film
Graphics: Katharina Köhler & Vicky Blake
Research: Antje Kirsch & Tanja Scheffler
Lost & Found Team: Johanna Krümpelbeck, Ina Tuscher, Julia Kurz, in collaboration with the Komm-Haus

28.09.2026

What Does the Poodle Pony Tell You? with Harald Kirschner and greater form

Shoelaces and Poodle Ponies in Prefab Buildings!

“What Does the Poodle Pony Tell You?” is an art education program offered by greater form in Leipzig-Grünau and is aimed at children and teens. We explore works of art in public spaces—of which there are many in the neighborhood. What memories and stories do local residents associate with them? Which sculptures and objects are they familiar with, and which ones are new to them? What do they hope for the future? To find out, we’re interviewing neighborhood residents and experts.

Credits

greater form’s projects are part of “Of Shoelaces and Poodle Ponies in Prefab Buildings!”, a joint documentation and outreach project of the Wüstenrot Foundation and the City of Leipzig in cooperation with Stadtkuratorin Leipzig—the program for art in public spaces commissioned by the Office of Cultural Affairs. The project is part of the Wüstenrot Foundation’s “Construction-Related Art in the GDR” program.

Video production: Kante Film GbR
Music: Sunny Positive Surf Rock “Sandy Shores” - Vlad Annenkov (License: CC BY)
Graphics: Vicky Blake
Team greater form: Pauli Linke, Silke Schetelig

Stadtkuratorin
Leipzig

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