Artist Sung Tieu Recreates Berlin Housing Complex at Venice Biennale
At the German Pavilion of the Venice Biennale, artist Sung Tieu has presented a reconstruction of the Gehrenseestrasse complex, a former housing block in Berlin. The project, detailed in an Arte Gazeta Express report on December 5, 2026, at 20:54, aims to highlight the overlooked history of migrant workers who settled in East Germany via socialist labor agreements. Sung tieu meticulously recreated the facade of the complex, a site where she resided with her mother during her childhood.
The Gehrenseestrasse complex now stands as one of Berlin’s largest urban ruins, characterized by vacant concrete blocks, broken windows, and abandoned corridors. Tieu views the structure not merely as a decaying building, but as a poignant memorial to an entire generation of migrants who contributed to the region’s development. The installation serves as a visual reminder of their experiences and the often-unacknowledged impact of these labor agreements.
The project underscores the importance of preserving and understanding the narratives of those who shaped Berlin’s history. The artwork’s creation reflects tieu’s commitment to bringing attention to a significant, yet frequently forgotten, chapter in the city’s past.
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This powerful installation offers a stark and necessary reminder of the realities faced by displaced communities.