A Small Object Against Denial

Fatherland

This flow follows material traces, from the artificial foot to scorched bricks, as objects resist the explanations imposed on them.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

The Missing Foot The Missing Foot from "Fatherland". The Missing Foot An Apparent Clue The body’s absent left foot initially suggests an accident, but Eisler finds a well-healed amputation.

The Missing Foot from "Fatherland". The Missing Foot An Apparent Clue The body’s absent left foot initially suggests an accident, but Eisler finds a well-healed amputation.

The Missing Foot An Apparent Clue The body’s absent left foot initially suggests an accident, but Eisler finds a well-healed amputation. The injury points to an earlier life rather than the manner of death. Identification Through the Body The missing limb later helps connect the corpse to Buhler’s history. A physical detail becomes the first stable link between a nameless body and a powerful official.

The Artificial Foot in the Water

The Artificial Foot in the Water A Search of the Jetty March finds Buhler’s prosthetic foot near the water after seeing fresh damage to the dock. The object suggests that the body’s journey involved the boat and shoreline. A Scene Reconstructed The foot helps March imagine how the assailants brought Buhler to the lake. An overlooked object complicates the official claim of suicide.

The Portrait’s Broken Edge The Portrait’s Broken Edge from "Fatherland". The Portrait’s Broken Edge A Damaged Masterpiece The Swiss box contains a portrait with a splintered edge, suggesting that it was forcibly removed from its…

The Portrait’s Broken Edge from "Fatherland". The Portrait’s Broken Edge A Damaged Masterpiece The Swiss box contains a portrait with a splintered edge, suggesting that it was forcibly removed from its…

The Portrait’s Broken Edge A Damaged Masterpiece The Swiss box contains a portrait with a splintered edge, suggesting that it was forcibly removed from its original setting. Its condition records the violence of cultural theft. Beauty and Provenance The image is beautiful, but its beauty does not erase its history. The object makes visible the transfer of Polish cultural property into private hands.

A Case of Paper A Case of Paper from "Fatherland". A Case of Paper Objects in a Lost Bag Luther’s old medical case contains papers instead of valuables.

A Case of Paper Objects in a Lost Bag Luther’s old medical case contains papers instead of valuables. Its worn leather and ordinary form conceal documents capable of threatening the regime. Material Evidence The papers preserve annotations, dates, and technical details that official memory has suppressed. The case turns a fugitive’s private archive into a portable counter-history.

Burned Brick Fragments Burned Brick Fragments from "Fatherland". Burned Brick Fragments A Search in the Grass At the place indicated by Luther, March finds fragments of scorched brick partly hidden near the birch trees.

Burned Brick Fragments from "Fatherland". Burned Brick Fragments A Search in the Grass At the place indicated by Luther, March finds fragments of scorched brick partly hidden near the birch trees.

Burned Brick Fragments A Search in the Grass At the place indicated by Luther, March finds fragments of scorched brick partly hidden near the birch trees. Their presence contradicts the assertion that the site left no trace. The Limits of an Artifact A brick cannot explain a whole system by itself, but it exists and can be examined. Its smallness becomes a rebuttal to the claim that no evidence survives.

Tuesday morning, April 14

Wednesday, April 15

Friday, April 17

Saturday afternoon, April 18

Führertag, April 20