Design for Bersarinplatz, Ikarusflug, 1984
Design: Christian Enzmann, Bernd Ettel
6 Storkower Straße
Flight of Icarus
Ikarusflug (Flight of Icarus) is an allegorical design by Christian Enzmann and Bernd Ettel from the year 1984 that the two architects presented as part of a competition to redesign the Bersarinplatz. Their plans consisted of a scenic, monumental street design with Potemkin façades that were intended to display the ideal of unity and power advocated by the GDR regime. However, behind these, a semicircular area revealed its concealed decay and provided a symbolic space for individual freedom of expression. The central element of the design was the art object Ikarusflug, which was intended to allow citizens to undertake their own attempts to fly to freedom, though before reaching their targets the flyers would be stopped abruptly by “state violence symbolised by laser cannons.”
Shortly after submitting their entry, the two architects – who were already under surveillance by the State Security Service following their illegal participation in an architecture competition in West Berlin – were arrested. Ettel was sentenced to 33 months’ imprisonment, while Enzmann received a sentence of 20 months. Ikarusflug can be seen as their “drawn manifesto” – a merciless image of complete surveillance, enforced conformity and the systematic destruction of individuality. At Bersarinplatz itself a standard prefabricated apartment block was constructed in place of their design.
Model for Ikarusflug, 1984
Design: Christian Enzmann, Bernd Ettel
For What If Berlin, Akira Takayama transposes unrealised projects from the archives of the Berliner Festspiele and other Berlin cultural institutions, as well as from architects and artists, into the present and asks us which vision we want to realise in the future.
The future vision for the project Flight of Icarus, that will be presented in the frame of What If Berlin from 28 August 2026 onwards, will respond to the following question: What if Berlin created a monument for a future surveillance state?
Which of the 27 visions for the future is the most exciting? Which project does Berlin need in future? Which idea should actually be realised?
Until 30 September 2026, you can vote for up to three of the 27 visions for the future. The results will be displayed live to give the latest impression of the public’s reactions.