The Tale of the Scale and the Skull (artwork)

The Tale of the Scale and the Skull is a permanent public artwork, a Kunst am Bau project by artist Alona Rodeh, installed in 2024 on the terrace of PETRI, an archaeological research and visitor center at Petriplatz, Berlin.[1]

Design

The Tale of the Scale and the Skull, Aerial view
The Tale of the Scale and the Skull, Aerial view

The work consists of 600x600 cm natural stone floor mosaic, with a skeleton figure at the center, referencing medieval remains uncovered during excavations at the site, believed to be the “first Berliners”.[2][3] Surrounding the skeleton are illustrations of archaeological tools, bones, and measuring instruments. The composition also incorporates a depiction of the 19th-century allegorical statue “Berolina,” a female personification of Berlin.[4]

The artwork was commissioned by Berlin’s Senate Department for Culture and Social Cohesion, in cooperation with Berlin’s Senate Department for Urban Development and Housing.

References

  1. ^ Berlin, Staatliche Museen zu. "PETRI Berlin macht ab dem 24. Juni die Archäologie erlebbar". www.smb.museum (in German). Retrieved 2025-07-09.
  2. ^ "PETRI Berlin | visitBerlin.de". www.visitberlin.de. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  3. ^ "Kunstwettbewerb für das Archäologische Haus am Petriplatz entschieden". www.berlin.de (in German). 2021-11-02. Retrieved 2025-07-10.
  4. ^ Glintschert, Alexander (2017-02-15). "Die Geschichte der Berolina". Anderes.Berlin (in German). Retrieved 2025-07-10.
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