Fine cracks run through the concrete desert, first light sprouts break up the wasteland. Still at the beginning of the development – the light creates a place of change and enables growth and evolution – for the site and its future use

The ground is broken, three large glowing cracks, allow visitors to enter. Where they intersect, the depth of the crevice creates seats, encouraging visitors to gather and take in the experience. Nestled at the heart of the installation, flashing light ‘eruptions’ synchronize with atmospheric sound effects, simulating the opening of the earth.

The installation was part of the art festival “Schwein gehabt”, which takes place on the former meatpacking district, which today is transformed into a cultural and creative hub of Karlsruhe. ‘Breaking ground’ focuses on a sealed area in the middle of the site, that users have wished to see greener and more vibrant. This idea is taken up and realized in a temporary light and sound installation, which at the same time is the starting point for a permanent change of the place.

by Jim Morrison, Danyel Lythgoe and Stefan Lotze
Sound design: Ben Melzer
Photos / Videos: Jannis Bruns, Christoph Panzer

Big thanks to the sponsors:
Stadt Karlsruhe, Ausgeschlachtet e.V. and Grenke AG

honorable mention at the LIT Awards 2020