Dioramas: Hammer, Compass, Wreath
The hammer, compass and wreath that adorned the GDR coat of arms and were introduced as an emblem in 1955 are considered symbols of the social classes in the GDR. The three dioramas on display in showcases in the group area of the GDR Museum each depict a scene from these social classes in the GDR. They show specific socialist aspects of the 1960s and thus offer the ideal introduction to the theme of the permanent exhibition.
Hammer or Working Class
This display case contains a diorama on the theme of work. It shows a factory floor with numerous machines, pipes and cables on the walls. It is noisy, dirty and dusty. A plan fulfilment board and pictures of Lenin and Ulbricht adorn the walls. A typical environment for an industrial worker in the GDR.
Compass or Working Intelligentsia
This display case, which shows a construction site, is dedicated to the so-called working intelligentsia of the GDR. An architect is explaining a drawing to the construction workers. The focus is on him.
Wreath or Agriculture
This diorama depicts the farming community in the GDR. The scene shows the handover of a fleet of vehicles from a machine and tractor station to the LPG. It is a festive scene. People dressed in their Sunday best fill the clean and decorated courtyard, agricultural machinery is lined up and a photographer captures the scene on camera. In the background is an idyllic field.
Built in Königs Wusterhausen
Model maker Linda Blüml and her colleague Holger Delfs worked on the dioramas for several weeks. The construction was preceded by detailed research, so that, for example, the miniature workshop was modelled on a real one down to the last detail. Elsewhere, tractors and cars were faithfully reproduced in miniature. The back walls were painted to create the necessary depth effect.
The DDR Museum uses dioramas to illustrate a wide variety of topics. Models by Holger Delfs depict the Berlin Wall, a nudist beach, Bruce Springsteen's legendary concert and an open-cast coal mine.
Editor's note: This blog post was first published on 26 February 2018.
Other objects featuring the national coat of arms in the collection of the GDR Museum
Further objects featuring the state coat of arms can be found in the DDR Museum's online database here.
