Published in Berlin Bubble on 21 July 2022
Every week, we introduce personalities from Berlin and ask them about city life, politics and culture. This week we spoke to lawyer Dr Pascal Decker. He offers "one-stop legal advice for the art market. This includes setting up foundations, company successions, market positioning and artists' estates. His clients include collectors, artists, galleries and museums, as well as medium-sized companies, associations and foundations."
The ICC as a house of art - what needs to happen for a good idea to become a concrete project?
There is still potential for development in many places, but only one "Gesamtkunstwerk" stands out among the places still to be developed. Not only as a lawyer for art and media law, but above all as a citizen, I am enthusiastic about a cultural re-use for the ICC in the west of Berlin. I have high hopes for the future of this still futuristic-looking building, which fulfils all possible spatial and even technical requirements. Together with the ICCA, a project group, Sebastian Pflum has developed a concept that can turn the building into a contemporary art and culture all-rounder: Theatre, dance, cinema, museum, art and design exhibitions, music, restaurants... I think that's great for Berlin - and it's also economically feasible! The ICC is an exciting major project for Berlin with a world-class future! It would offer West Berlin a new cultural centre, a counterweight to Museum Island and the Humboldt Forum. Berlin should therefore be courageous and realise the concept for the benefit of all.
What can the German art scene (artists, collectors, gallery owners, state actors) do to support Ukrainian artists?
Not only in Berlin, but in many places, art enthusiasts and institutions have stood up for Ukrainian artists and supported them in their work. I can think of numerous projects organised by foundations that have achieved incredible things. Many art associations have also made their networks available and offered help in providing workshops and studios, and there have been special exhibitions and auctions in galleries and auction houses in favour of or with the participation of Ukrainian artists. There was a great wave of solidarity among artists across countries. The big unresolved issue is still the protection of cultural assets from war damage, and we need to continue to think about how we can protect cultural treasures in the long term and prevent them from falling victim to this war.
What is your favourite place in the city?
A special place of peace and spiritual energy for me is the Herz Jesu church in Fehrbelliner Straße on the border between Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg. Although inconspicuous, almost gloomy from the outside, this church building, characterised by a barrel vault in neo-Moorish style with mosaic panelling, is a quiet space, an island in the midst of the noise and hustle and bustle of the big city.