Light Boxes
Light BoxesAudio guide
Told byLightUpI’ll tell you the secrets of Light Boxes. I guide you here with the map, or you can listen from home. What you see is not what you think, and knowing it is worth it. Some narrations are AI voices and others are real people.
How it works
- Go there
the app walks you there from wherever you are. - Listen on the spot
the story plays when you arrive, in your language if it was recorded in it. - Keep discovering
the Berlin map has more gems like this one, and you can put them together in a tour.
Scan it with your phone
Point your camera at the QR code
Story
Berlin has light boxes hidden throughout its streets.
They look like normal photographs until you take a closer look.
The past and the present are in the same frame. I'll show you the trick to see it.
Visiting Light Boxes
- How to get there
- The closest stop is U Kochstraße/Checkpoint Charlie bus stop, 82 meters away. The Kochstraße/Checkpoint Charlie metro/train station is 114 meters away.
- Entry and price
- Entry is free.
- Opening hours
- The installation is always open.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Light Boxes?
The Light Boxes are two nearly six-meter-high panels with photographs of soldiers, created by artist Frank Thiel in 1998. They are located at Checkpoint Charlie and serve as a memorial to the end of the Cold War.
Who are the soldiers depicted in the Light Boxes?
The American soldier is Jeffrey Harper, a musician who played in the 298th Army Band of the Berlin Brigade. The Russian soldier remains anonymous, but his uniform is from the Russian Federation, symbolizing the post-Soviet era.
Why were the Light Boxes created?
The installation was part of a Berlin Senate competition called 'Transitions' in 1996. It replaced bureaucratic signs with human faces to symbolize the end of the Cold War and the division of Berlin.
What is nearby the Light Boxes?
Nearby attractions include Checkpoint Charlie, just 18 meters away, and the BlackBox Kalter Krieg, which is 47 meters away and open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
What is the significance of the Light Boxes' technology?
The panels use backlit light box technology, commonly used for outdoor advertising, to ensure visibility day and night. This choice highlights the contrast between consumer culture and historical memory.
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