The Architecture Collection at the Berlinische Galerie holds a selection of works documenting Berlin’s urban development since 1900. One focus is the reconstruction of the divided city after World War II.
The photographic estate of Otto Borutta (1903-1984) reflects this period of construction. Between 1955 and 1973 the photographer captured the changing townscape in aerial views and panoramas meticulously assembled from individual shots.
Borutta photographed his motifs with apparent objectivity from a distant angle so as to reproduce the layout of buildings and streets in their entirety. He chose an elevated perspective to document buildings under construction in the context of their surroundings. Wasteland, newbuild and historical architecture feature together on an equal footing.
With the support of the Research and Competence Center Digitalization Berlin (DigiS), a concentrated selection of Otto Borutta’s West Berlin townscapes has been accessible online since August 2017. In conjunction with the urban photographs from the “East Berlin Photo Archive” placed online three years ago, the reconstruction of many areas of the city can now be traced visually.

Supported by the Research and Competence Center Digitalization Berlin (digiS)