‘Vom tätigen Leben’ is a photographic installation that explores the precarious and repressive conditions of environmental activism in the former GDR. The work focuses not on the central environmental library in Berlin, but on activism in Lusatia, a rural area that has received little attention to date. This area is still strongly characterised by lignite mining today. The destruction of nature, villages and air pollution were therefore particularly important topics.
It is based on photographs and texts from the archives of the former Working Group for Environment and Peace in Hoyerswerda (AUF) as well as publications from the holdings of the Robert Havemann Society, the archive of the GDR opposition in Berlin and the contents of the environmental library and archive in Großhennersdorf near Zittau. Its holdings include a small, unique collection of printing equipment (spirit duplicator/Banda machine) that was crucial for the production of the banned newspapers known as "Samisdate". A series of photographs shows close-ups of these and the associated papers which was an absolute scarce commodity. These images are combined with the industrial landscapes that were documented not only by the so-called AUF but by many of the resistant environmental groups in order to visualise the interventions and violations committed against the environment. The pictures were used for slide shows as well as for self-produced publications (Samsidate). This was always done secretly in a small circle and often under the protection of the church, as publicly campaigning for environmental protection and addressing environmental destruction was considered ‘anti-state’ and was punishable by law. Against all odds the Working Group for Environment and Peace in Hoyerswerda saved a marshalnd, the Dubringer Moor, thanks to its continous political work such as an unusual extensive petition. Looking at how much effort is being put into re-watering and revitalising moors in Europe today, illustrates the important contemporary effects.
The concept, research and production were enabled thanks to the Deutsches Hygiene Museum Dresden, which commissioned this work in 2024. ‘Vom tätigen Leben’ was accompanied by a poster series “Poltische Landschaft I,II,III” installed in the public space of Hoyerswerda.