25 January 2008 – 21 April 2008

Karl Valentin. Pioneer of Films and Artisan of Media

Karl Valentin carried out experiments of his own just before sound films came in. In 1929, he produced the ‘first German sound film’ In der Schreinerwerkstätte, which involved a live sound performance staged behind the screen in a Munich cinema. Valentin and Karlstadt sawed, made loud noises and argued during the projection of the silent film; they were invisible to the audience yet present on the screen. Mit dem Fremdenwagen durch München was premiered in May 1929. Valentin’s production came at the start of the sound film era, when there were just seven sound film projectors installed in cinemas in the whole of Germany. In addition to the theatre and the cinema, Karl Valentin turned his attention to another medium in 1928, when his monologues and satirical songs began appearing on records. It was not long before Valentin, who by now had effectively turned his skinny body into a trade mark, was advertising the products of several record companies.

Address

Martin-Gropius-Bau
Niederkirchnerstrasse 7
10963 Berlin Kreuzberg
phone +49 30 25 48 60
http://www.gropiusbau.de

Opening Hours

Wednesday-Monday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Within 10 days
starting exhibitions
ending exhibitions