Originally scheduled for 2012, Tegel Airport’s closure was postponed again and again – much to the delight of its fans, who cherished every single day it remained open. Alas the day has come and we shall say goodbye on November 8. In his series Tegel Moments Bernd Rathjen has captured very special scenes. He shows us once more what we love about this architectural gem. We are also led to spots that we may have overlooked in a hurry. A mix of moments – “plucked” en passant – as well as carefully composed tableaus make up a personal homage to this very exceptional airport.

A runway was built in 1948 in order to support the Berlin Airlift, as Tempelhof Airport didn’t have the capacity to accommodate all aircrafts. After the first civil flight took off in 1960 an intensive planning and construction phase began in 1965, ending with a formal opening on October 23, 1974. Legendary Terminal A with its passenger boarding bridges A0 to A14 began operation one week later, on November 1, 1974. The building’s rather striking hexagonal outline, pervading even the smallest detail, was designed to make the paths from the entrance to the gates as short as possible. The renowned architectural firm Gerkan, Marg and Partner (gmp) designed Tegel Airport, which would soon achieve cult status thanks to its innovative design.

Bernd Rathjen’s images reflect Tegel’s face: bold and appealing, angular and precise. Geometric features, recurrent triangular and hexagonal shapes, concrete pillars, the front structures, vestibules, riddled with a 1970s feel signs – they all add up to a pared down, model-kit like construction. In Tegel Moments Bernd Rathjen not only commemorates typical airport details such as destination boards, gate signs and baggage trolleys but also unforgettable unique features: the curved tunnel leading to the upper level, the red vestibules with oculi, the striking Sixt advertisement and last but not least the ubiquitous two-tier tower.

Bernd Rathjen, born in Hamburg in 1966, started taking photographs at the age of 16. After working in the music, television and event industry for 30 years he increasingly turned to photography a few years ago. He created a number of series about architecture, cars, art and people. Tegel Moments was inspired by Rathjen’s many travels but also by his father, who worked as a master mechanic for Lufthansa. Rathjen first published Tegel motifs on social media, now @tegelmoments has its own instagram account. Fine art prints are available for purchase at exhibitions and by direct order from this website exclusively.
Bernd Rathjen lives in Berlin.

Dec 8, 2020 — Jan 9, 2021
Opening Receptions: Saturday, Dec 5, 3 – 10 pm + Sunday, Dec 6, 12 – 6 pm,
registration required via galer1733567935ie@vi1733567935lla-k1733567935oeppe1733567935.de1733567935 or +49 176 233 792 78

KÖPPE CONTEMPORARY BERLIN

Knausstraße 19, 14193 Berlin
[District: Grunewald | Borough: Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf]

Opening hours: Tue – Fri 3 – 6 pm, Sat 11 am – 5 pm, and by appointment: galer1733567935ie@vi1733567935lla-k1733567935oeppe1733567935.de1733567935 / +49 176 233 792 78

Admission free