The History Of The Molecule Man In 1 Minute

Molecule Man might as well be as infamous as the Fernsehrturm in terms of Berlin iconography. Unlike the Fernsehrturm, the Molecule Man wasn’t commissioned by the GDR. The stark structure fastened out of aluminum stands tall on the river Spree in front of the Treptowers and was built by the American sculptor Johnathon Borofsky.
The one lording over the Spree isn’t the only molecule man in existence. The first ones appeared in the late 70s in Los Angeles California. The one reigning over the Berlin river showed up in 1997. The sculpture consists of three (same but different) men all leaning into one another at a point of intersection; their arms are their means of integration. It’s representative of the meeting point of the neighboring localities: Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, and Treptow. As these three kieze suffuse in the periphery of the Molecule Man, those who look upon the sculpture are reminded of its message: the coming together of many seemingly different elements to make up this existence.

Due to the ever-changing sociopolitical climate, this structure will inevitably remain relevant and not just as a microcosm of a city’s ebbing and flowing ethnography. As Germany was once plagued with its own demarcation, this aluminum message reminds viewers the importance of integration. The seemingly endless amount of holes in the sculptor signify the molecules that comprise us all. Though each person may be different, they are made of the same molecules. The holes are also meant to delineate the lightness of our being, perhaps to articulate a humanistic vulnerability or fragility.

This epic sculptor stands 30 meters or 100 feet tall and instead of towering over its surroundings, it creates an uplifting atmosphere. Borofsky garnered inspiration for his body of work from a Sports Illustrated cover of two players rushing towards one another in celebration after winning the National Invitation Tournament. Borofsky started in Los Angeles 1978 and made his way across the globe with the others appearing in Yorkshire in 1988, Berlin 1997, and Council Bluffs Iowa in 2008.
By Brienne Pierce

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.