[spectre] CONF: Escape and Escapism: Art and the GDR (Cambridge, 15 Nov 25)

[Andreas Broeckmann LEU]

From: Matthew Shaul
Date: Oct 20, 2025
Subject: CONF: Escape and Escapism: Art and the GDR (Cambridge, 15 Nov 25)

Magdalene College, Cambridge (UK)

"Escape and Escapism: Art and the GDR".

A one-day symposium organised to coincide with the exhibition ‘Escape 
from Colditz’ by Leipzig-based artist Annette Schröter at the Robert 
Cripps Gallery, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge. An 
international array of speakers will discuss creative legacies in visual 
arts, architecture, photography, film, dance and literature from the GDR.

//
PROGRAMME:

NOVEMBER 15, 2025:
Magdalene College Auditorium, 3 Chesterton Road, Cambridge, United 
Kingdom CB4 3AD

10.00 am – Introduction and Welcome: Silke Mentchen, University of 
Cambridge & co-curator ‘Escape from Colditz’

10.15 am – Two Who Escaped: Georg Baselitz and A R Penck: Richard 
Calvocoressi, Magdalene College, University of Cambridge

10.45 am – The DDR in the Humboldt Forum: Wolfgang Mattheuer’s Painting 
'Guten Tag': Neil MacGregor, Former Director, British Museum (London) & 
Humboldt Forum (Berlin).

11.15 am – Visit to exhibition and lunch (own arrangements)

1.30 pm – Christa Wolf ’s 'Juninachmittag': Georgina Paul, University of 
Oxford

2.00 pm – ‘Escape to Rabbit Land’ – Escape and Inner Emigration in GDR 
and (post) GDR Photography: Matthew Shaul, Queen Mary University of 
London & co-curator ‘Escape from Colditz’

3.00 pm – Cybernetics and Simulacra: Remediating Halle-Neustadt Public 
Art: Stephan Ehrig, University of Glasgow

3.30 pm – Was Bleibt? The Politics of East German Dance: Marion Kant, 
University of Cambridge

4.00 pm – 5 pm – Final Discussion

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The admission is free, however, booking is essential. Please follow this 
link to register: 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/escape-and-escapism-art-and-the-gdr-tickets-1776955705349

For further information on the exhibition please visit: 
https://www.magd.cam.ac.uk/events/escape-colditz-papercuts-collage-and-installation.


Reference / Quellennachweis:
CONF: Escape and Escapism: Art and the GDR (Cambridge, 15 Nov 25). In: 
ArtHist.net, Oct 20, 2025. <https://arthist.net/archive/50949>.