#antimonument

However, the St. Gertrudenkirche in Hamburg Uhlenhorst is considered the geographical center, being the result of multiple methods and mentioned in articles. So we decided to start our research here.

[ supposed geographical center of Hamburg ]

On site, we interviewed passing people, asking them about this place. Interesting for us was firstly whether people knew, the spot they were at, is considered the geographical center of Hamburg and secondly, what this meant to them. None of the people we interviewed, knew they were in the center, and so the answers regarding the meaning of this information were rather vague. In one of our interviews, we were told to go to the civic association Uhlenhorst-Hohenfelde, so we did. But the conversation here went very similar to the ones before. Instead we were told to try at the rectory. There we couldn’t find anyone. Instead, we accidentally disturbed a dance group and it went on as we knew: “Oh really? We didn’t know that?”

The only serious answer we got, was, looking back on it now, kind of selfish, but still certain opinion, to not put a monument here showing the center. The church itself is used a lot for wedding ceremonies already, because of its location and utilisation. A monument here would attract even more people, flooding the place.

And so we already knew that for complex areas, such as big city, there is not just one center. Depending on the definition or consideration of different landmasses, because the island Neuwerk and other small islands in the estuary of the Elbe, are part of Hamburg as well.

However, all these calculation and definition methods are in connection with the borders of Hamburg, because an area can only be defined through borders. Now, borders are man made lines. Even though there are, depending on the site if the border you’re at, different laws, regulations, sometimes time zones, etc., if you were to remove barriers, indicating signs and such, the step across a border (without knowing, that you are crossing such) would feel just like the previous or next step. It’s the same thing with a center. It’s there, because people put the borders this way.

[ so does a geographical center need a monument ? ]

In our eyes, we don’t think a monument for the pure existence of the geographical center is necessary. And so we created the idea of perhaps an “anti-monument”, because borders are historically seen always a trigger of dispute, arguments and even war. Every border delimits - isolates and excludes. Open and non-binding borders, such as the ones we have in Germany and the EU, are a luxury.

And so the monument we suggest kind of ironic, thought provoking and questioning would be inconspicuous on the one hand and on the other hand invite to relax. A sector embedded in the ground, you can walk or look across it without being disturbed. And if you care for the geographical center, or even are in doubts or anger about the difficulties trying to define it, you should sit down and practice relaxation. In a nice area on the grass, near the beautiful “Kuhmühlenteich”, the Gertrudenkirche, next to a barely used road, we design a small memorial stone and place for a yoga mat in one.

[ the geographical center as an ironic hidden antimonument . ]