In May 2025, artist Robin Rhode realized his site-specific mural Der Botanische Garten [engl. The Botanical Garden] on the south façade of blu Sport- und Freizeitbad in Potsdam. The large-scale artwork, prominently visible from the terrace of DAS MINSK at the Brauhausberg, greatly enhances the view of the Potsdam cityscape.
Rhode’s Potsdam mural extends across the entire south façade of blu. Rendered in various shades of blue, abstracted floral shapes emerge, evoking both botanical illustrations and organic processes. The wall becomes a visual narrative of transformation, nature, and cultural rootedness. The artist draws inspiration from Goethe’s text The Metamorphosis of Plants (1750) for his mural. Goethe’s conception of the constant transformation in nature is reflected in Rhode’s dynamic visual language. Indigenous South African medicinal plants, such as Buchu (Agathosma betulina), Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii), Silene capensis (also known as Silene undulata), and Canna (Canna indica), feature in his work, serving as symbols of resilience, healing, and cultural exchange. In Potsdam—a city with rich botanical and scientific history—such a dialogue unfolds between South African heritage and a European context. Robin Rhode uses Prussian Blue—a deep, intense pigment discovered in Berlin in 1706, the first modern synthetic pigment in Europe. It replaced the costly ultramarine and was used extensively in art, architecture, and cartography, particularly in Prussian Potsdam residences like Sanssouci and the Neues Palais. The choice of this color connects the artwork to the city’s cultural history, recalling its historic significance. The blue tones also flow seamlessly into the silhouette of the Potsdam cityscape and dissolve gently into the sky above. The mural is complemented by figures that were developed on site during the production process, adding an immediate and site-specific dimension to the work. The figures evoke an association with fine porcelain, referencing Potsdam’s rich heritage of artisanal craftsmanship. Its interior features a visual motif inspired by the iconic beech trees of Sanssouci Park. Yet the figures appear remarkably dynamic as they playfully engage with the petals, as if parkouring through the garden — one poised above a window, seemingly mid-motion, about to perform a cartwheel.
The historic swimming hall at Brauhausberg was demolished in 2018. Originally part of an ensemble with the former terrace restaurant “Minsk”—both designed by architect Karl-Heinz Birkholz—it once offered an unobstructed view of the Potsdam cityscape from the Brauhausberg. With the construction of the blu Sport- und Freizeitbad, the visual axis to the city center was altered. Drawing inspiration from the historic panorama of Potsdam’s cityscape, Robin Rhode has now created a mural that redefines the view from the terrace of DAS MINSK—allowing it to fully unfold its impact from this vantage point.
The artwork was commissioned by the Hasso Plattner Foundation, and the project was realized in cooperation with DAS MINSK Kunsthaus in Potsdam, and Stadtwerke Potsdam. With their joint efforts, the unique view from DAS MINSK over the city of Potsdam is being recreated, offering Potsdam’s residents and visitors a new opportunity to engage with art and culture at the Brauhausberg.