Reconstruction of Dresden's Neumarkt (New Market)

[erbse]

But I don't want Dresden to look like Warsaw It's supposed to look like Old Dresden as a whole,
not just some tiny old town island.


I think it's quite well known among enthusiasts of classical architecture how Warsaw was rebuilt.
However, that's brushed under the carpet by most officials, Poles or proponents of that reconstruction so it's constantly sinking into oblivion.
It actually was a crime, just as the demolition of intact churches, castles etc. during GDR times was. So it shouldn't be forgotten, like the actual destruction of the city should'nt be forgotten.

[el_barto]

If you want a thrill then please visit my thread
It's about Wroclaw (Breaslau) today It was destroyed but plenty of old buildings have survived so I'm trying to document it all before they collapse
It is one of the biggest collection on 19 century buildings in Europe, but most of them are in really bad shape ... howevere there is a big revitalization program going on so there's a glimpse of chance that will see and old good Breslau...
BUt still since we live now please check my thread and feel free to comment on it

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=814072

I add new photos every day !!!

[erbse]

^ C'mon mate, stop it now! You don't have to promote your photos in any thread you come across.. This thread is about Dresden

[el_barto]

Originally Posted by erbse

^ C'mon mate, stop it now! You don't have to promote your photos in any thread you come across.. This thread is about Dresden

Sorry but I don't want to promote my thread I just wanted to show you some pics of Wroclaw since it was german city and we were talking about german architecture I won't say a word more about it - I promise

[william of waco]

I have come across a curious image of the Neumarkt dating from 1750.
The artist depicts the Frauenkirche as a painted building.
Is this an accurate portrayal or just a fanciful interpretation?

(wiki)

[Belotto33]

/\ This is obviously just an example of "artistic freedom". The church was never painted. The buildings around aren´t exactly in shape and position, too.

[william of waco]

Belotto33,

I toyed with a few theories as to why he colored the dome as well as the columns. But you are right, it definitely comes across as "artistic freedom". Maybe this was how he thought the Frauenkirche should look.
I'm guessing that paintings like this one must have been sold as a type of postcard to people who would never get the chance to travel to Dresden. The artist appears to have concentrated all his energy on only the structures that were famous. He came pretty close to getting the dimensions of both the Frauenkirche as well as the Cosel Palace behind it correctly. Why he didn't bother to draw or position the other buildings accurately may have been out of laziness.

[ArchitectCS]

Prints like this were often colored after the fact-sometimes even decades later. Whoever colored this was probably not the original artist and they were using the print more like a coloring book than anything else, choosing whichever colors they liked to give a sense of fantasy. As for the fact that the buildings are incorrectly rendered, I think William's 'lazy' theory is probably right. These were sold as a kind of souvenir and were mass produced as cheaply as possible. Obviously, we are not dealing with a great artist here as the proportions and perspective are all wrong. Really, just someone 200 years ago trying to make a quick profit, just like people today.

[Darryl]

Obama will be at the Frauenkirche in the Neumarkt today.

[Kampflamm]

Since not that much is happening right now, here are a couple of (I presume) new pics of the already well known sites:

image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


image hosted on flickr


Source

[LoveCPH]

So is everything completed now ?

[william of waco]

Originally Posted by LoveCPH

So is everything completed now ?

I've been wondering this myself. Weren't there some delays?

I have to admit, at first I wasn't all too impressed with many of these reconstructions. But, the more I see of the Markt as it nears completion the more I have begun to appreciate they're appeal. They have grown on me.

However, there are a few examples that deserve my scorn.
The buildings in the center of this photograph are unforgivable. Both of them are entirely out of sync with the rest of the Markt's composition. They stick out like a couple of bad teeth in a near perfect smile.

[goschio]

^

Yes, the pseudo modernist building looks like shit. Not historic but also not really modern. Something trapped between pure averageness and blandness.

[Slartibartfas]

Originally Posted by goschio

^

Yes, the pseudo modernist building looks like shit. Not historic but also not really modern. Something trapped between pure averageness and blandness.

Actually they make the block look like an authentic old town quarter in central Europe. More so maybe than a perfect reconstruction.

Of course you can like or dislike that.

[Bogdan BMB]

Today I finished reading the whole thread. Nice work and beautiful buildings

[william of waco]

Originally Posted by goschio

^
Not historic but also not really modern.

An apt description.

[Skymino]

I like this mix of modern buildings and the reconstructed one. It is a sign of our contemporary time, and in my opinion they are not too bad. They match with the old style of the other buildings and are definitely not banal, but good examples of modern architecture.

[Clay Hefner]

The house of the bleeding eyes...it hurts to even just look at it
imo.

[erbse]

Definitely. They should at least paint it with some more decent color like the ones next to it.
White looks like crap on this fugly modernist thing. The glass entrance doesn't even catch attraction next to this beast.

[durden5573]

Originally Posted by goschio

^

Yes, the pseudo modernist building looks like shit. Not historic but also not really modern. Something trapped between pure averageness and blandness.

I disagree, I love the building. Its perfect, it totally doesnt fit in, which makes it perfect. People complain about the Disney effect of the the Neumarkt, I feel this building adds some realism. It shows that this is a living city center, not a fake veneered core, like you see in Vegas. Its touches like this that keep this a real city. Even the controversy of it adds to the cities charm. Remember the Eiffel tower was considered ugly and many people wanted it torn down after the world fair.

When I was in Dresden last summer I talked to a lot of the locals about the reconstruction, I was surprised to find that many wanted reconstruction but did not want strictly original reconstruction. Almost all felt there was an opportunity to add touches to keep this time in history alive. Rather than putting everything back the way it was.

Just my 2 cents - thanks for everyone who keeps posting pics and keeps the tread alive. Cheers.