Konspirative Wohnungun/Conspiracy Dwellings: A Personal Report

This chapter discusses the primary research and development of the installation and public artwork, 'Konspirative Wohnungun/Conspiracy Dwellings, in the former East German city of Erfurt that that explores the legacy of state surveillance in the former German Democratic Republic. It was exhibited as a public art project in 6 public venues in Erfurt from 28 September - 16 November 2007, with the participation of local and international artists, academics and curators with supporting artworks and a lecture programme, funded by the AHRC and the Kulturstiftung des Bund.

The chapter follows up with a case study of the controversy that resulted from the forceful and controversial response from the Thuringia Commissioner for the Stasi Documents (TLStU) raising issues ethical issues such as data protection, the disclosure of personal information and the law governing the use of the Stasi Archive.