Finds from the Archives
The essence of an archive are its things stored in boxes. Things – including notes, manuscripts, letters, documents, drafts and designs, plans, sheet music, sketches, watercolours, posters, photographs, but also personal objects, books, props and models. Archival objects are measured in linear metres. The Archives of the Akademie der Künste are currently at about the 13 kilometre marker. This sheer abundance beckons to embark on voyages of discovery. The things want to be found.
“Finds” introduces select text documents, works of art and special objects from the Archives of the Akademie der Künste that attract attention, have turned up unexpectedly, are new acquisitions or are (re-)discoveries. They show us what writing is, how thought processes and failure come into play, where a spark of inspiration flashes, who might be an ally, what helps in a strange place, and how need, longing, uncertain states and the passage of time can be encountered.