Chaos Unleashed in the Scribes' Sanctuary
In their latest exhibition, "Ley-Bude," photographers Enver Hirsch and Philipp Meuser detail the transformation of World War II temporary homes in Hamburg.
Initially, the photographers believed they were capturing a temporary timber-framed house along the Bille, but upon closer inspection, they discovered that the wood used in the structure was somewhat odd – it was merely painted on to give the impression of timber framing. As they traversed the city in search of temporary housing, they found numerous examples of creative solutions: an upside-down lamp, a window tucked under another building's roof, and a wooden floor added as a second story to a caravan.
Hirsch and Meuser chanced upon one of these peculiar buildings, leading them to develop the project. As they delved deeper into these improvised dwellings' history, they found that they were constructed using small 20-square-meter wooden units, known locally as "Ley-Buden." During World War II, these emergency accommodations were the only civilian buildings allowed to be built in the German Reich.
These hastily erected shelters were an essential part of Germany's defense efforts, offering temporary housing for displaced residents and workers in wartime industries. Their namesake harks back to their construction materials: "Ley," meaning plywood, and "Buden," referring to huts or booths. Although known, Ley-Buden have often been overlooked in historical narratives compared to military and industrial constructions of the era.
The Hinz&Kunzt vendors contribute significantly to the project, which involves reading current issue texts. Residents of Hamburg can purchase the magazine from them on the streets, while readers outside Hamburg can subscribe to a print subscription.
The photographers, Hirsch and Meuser, realized that the creative solutions they found in their search for temporary housing were not just improvised dwellings; they were era-defining structures known as "Ley-Buden," made of plywood and initially allowed as the only civilian buildings during World War II. Touching on the significance of these hastily erected shelters, the fashion-and-beauty and home-and-garden aspects have been often overlooked in historical narratives, hence the need for Ley-Bude's detailed exploration in their latest exhibition.
