THE RIVER. II / 2025

Chapter 2: The Circle – A Space for Unity and Reflection

This chapter stands as a counterpoint. The circle—an ancient symbol of infinity—embodies the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.

A circle of oversized shirts, crafted from emergency blankets, symbolizes the unity that can connect us as human beings—yet also its fragility. These golden rescue blankets, universal symbols of aid and protection, remind us of the vulnerability of life. Their shine speaks of hope, but also forces us to confront essential questions:

What defines human existence?
What holds us together?
What gives life a human meaning?

Yet within the stark reality of the former Stasi prison, the circle was confined—trapped within the limits of its oppressive walls. What was once a perfect form, a symbol of wholeness, collapsed under the weight of restriction. The envisioned dignity of the human being could not unfold. It was imprisoned. Crushed. Destroyed—ideologically, systematically.