At Scherben, Eulitz has collected design objects of discrete historical origins and interwoven their contexts into a shared narrative. In this process, what is imperceptible of these object-histories is illuminated, having otherwise been unseen, misunderstood, or buried. Contained within their design and consumption are political ramifications of production, hidden in plain sight. Some of them (the VEB Halle pendant lights) are perhaps more glamorous than others (the United Buddy Bears and Ikea’s Billy bookshelves). Having transposed the exhibition’s milieu, social tensions come to the fore, reminding us that if we want to make sense of our world, overcoming our longing for Gemütlichkeit, or hominess, is perhaps a necessary step.

Unbearable Lightness by Lian Rangkuty (exhibition text)