Japanisches Palais: The Blue Swords

The Blue Swords – Meissen in the GDR

The special exhibition 'The Blue Swords - Meissen in the GDR' tells for the first time the story of the Meissen porcelain manufactory in the second half of the 20th century - from its reconstruction after the war and partial dismantling to the end of the GDR. The focus is on the Künstlerkollektiv (artists' collective) around Ludwig Zepner, Heinz Werner and Peter Strang, who were particularly influential during this period. Their best-known designs were inspired by Czech animated films, productions by the Berliner Ensemble or literary motifs such as 1001 Nights.

Exhibition Site Japanisches Palais

DATES 20/09/2025—22/02/2026

Opening Hours daily 10—18, Monday closed 26/12/2024, 10—18 (2. Weihnachtstag)

The Japanisches Palais – the porcelain palace of Augustus the Strong – is a fascinating and fitting setting. Despite all the contradictions to the socialist era, the great baroque tradition of Europe's first porcelain manufactory remained influential. Monumental murals for the Palast der Republik in Berlin and other central buildings of the GDR, state gifts and a medal that Sigmund Jähn took with him on his space flight are evidence of the unbroken high prestige of Meissen porcelain as a luxury good. Design sketches, theatre costumes, film clips, magazines and much more provide an insight into the artistic and cultural context of Meissen porcelain in the GDR era.

filgranes Muster auf ockerfarbenem Untergrund — **Entwurfszeichnung für Dekor „1001 Nacht“, Heinz Werner, um 1968**

However, the exhibition also explores the identity-forming role of the world-renowned manufactory from the perspective of citizens in East and West, where a large proportion of Meissen porcelain was exported in exchange for foreign currency. What remained in the country and what significance did Meissen have in everyday life and collective memory on both sides of the Wall? Artistically sophisticated photo series from the 1950s and late 1980s, as well as interviews with contemporary witnesses, tell the story of everyday working life in Europe's largest porcelain manufactory.

Leading up to the exhibition - starting in spring 2025 - we will also be inviting you, our audience, to share your memories and special moments associated with Meissen porcelain with us, and to contribute your own objects with personal stories - a selection of which we would like to feature in the exhibition.

Kanne, Teller und Tasse mit filigraner Bemalung — **Teekanne aus dem Service "Blütenreigen" mit Dekor „Sommernachtstraum“, VEB Staatliche Porzellanmanufaktur Meissen, 1969**

Kanne, Teller, Tasse und Zuckerdose in gelb mit Bemalung — **Teile des „Kollektivservice“ mit Dekor „Münchhausen“, VEB Staatliche Porzellanmanufaktur Meissen, 1964**

Vase mit blau-weißer Bemalung — **Vase, Volkmar Bretschneider, VEB Staatliche Porzellanmanufaktur Meissen, 1988**

Fotografie mit zwei Frauen an einem Schreibtisch — **Zwei Mitarbeiterinnen in der Meissener Porzellanmanufaktur, Gerhard Weber, 1988/1992**

Fotografie mit fünf Männern in einem Raum — **Mitglieder des Künstlerkollektivs, 1976**

Porzellanfigur bestehend aus einer weiblichen Person, die auf einer Fanasiegestalt liegt — **Titania und Zettel aus dem "Sommernachtstraum", VEB Staatliche Porzellanmanufaktur Meissen, 1969**

Porzellanleuchter mit fünf Kerzenhaltern — **Leuchter aus dem „Jagdservice“, VEB Staatliche Porzellanmanufaktur Meissen, 1973**

MeissenLabs

In 2023, the Porzellansammlung in cooperation with Meissen Porzellan-Stiftung GmbH and Staatliche Porzellan-Manufaktur Meissen GmbH conducted interviews with contemporary witnesses. The questions were asked by members of the SKD Futur III Youth Advisory Board: How do handmade luxury products and socialist ideology go together? Who bought Meissen porcelain and where? What international relationships were cultivated? Was employment at the ‘Manu’ associated with privileges and were the artists able to freely express themselves?

digital exhibition space voices