Art project of the Magdeburg Youth Art School in cooperation with the Emperor Otto Cultural Foundation

Art project of the Magdeburg Youth Art School in cooperation with the Emperor Otto Cultural Foundation ‘Otto I as world designer’ – an artistic animated film & animation workshop

In an ‘exclusive’ holiday academy, Emperor Otto I was brought back to life with the help of paper, scissors, paint, a little digital technology and a lot of imagination. A group of 11 art class students aged between 11 and 17 worked under the guidance of mixed media and glass artist Janette Zieger and illustrator and animator Lisa Rackwitz at the youth art school in Magdeburg from 7 to 11 April 2025. This week was part of the major art project designed and implemented by the youth art school in cooperation with the Emperor Otto Cultural Foundation for this year’s presentation of the ‘Emperor Otto Prize’ on 2 July 2025 in Magdeburg Cathedral.

On the trail of Otto the Great

Who was Otto I and what significance does he still have in our time? With this question in mind, the young art class students first embarked on a journey of discovery into the past – looking at the cultural-historical personality of Otto I, the stages of his life, his work and historical traditions. In a lively exchange, impressions were gathered as to the extent to which Emperor Otto the Great and his decisions still have an impact today and to what extent this influences and accompanies the reality of the young people’s own lives, especially in the form of the European idea.

Equipped with this knowledge, they began their own artistic work with the aim of creating their own animated film. The artists Janette Zieger and Lisa Rackwitz provided support in the realisation and selection of the artistic technique. Storyboards were written under the question: ‘What would I like to ask Otto I personally?’. Illustrative moving figures made of various materials were conceived and designed. A background scenery was created as a play stage. In this way, stop-motion films were created, which were then set to music. Through this interdisciplinary combination of visual and performing arts, performative elements were incorporated into the design process.

The result was 11 animated short films, which have their very own personal expression thanks to the individual aesthetics of each film and thus bring Otto I into the present.

Major art exhibition in Magdeburg Cathedral

All the short films will be on display in Magdeburg Cathedral for the youth art school’s major art exhibition entitled ‘Otto I as world designer’, which will kick off with a grand opening ceremony on 24 June 2025. A number of other works of art are currently being created at the youth art school. For example, children from a daycare centre are exploring ‘Otto’s World’ in an art education programme, immersing themselves in past times in the city of Magdeburg and trying out different artistic techniques to create their artworks. Almost all art classes from 5 – 18 years also work on the theme. Each art class approaches the topic individually together with the artist in charge and finds its own way of depicting it.

From 24 June 2025, over 220 different exhibits in the form of drawings, paintings, sculptures and even some walk-in objects can be discovered in Magdeburg Cathedral. The exhibition will provide an artistic backdrop to the awarding of the ‘Emperor Otto Prize’ on 2 July 2025 in Magdeburg Cathedral and will also be on display free of charge until the beginning of August 2025 during the cathedral’s regular opening hours.

Vernissage of the art exhibition ‘Otto I as world designer’ on Tuesday, 24 June 2025 from 3.00 pm in Magdeburg Cathedral

All interested parties, project supporters and, of course, all young artists together with parents, family and friends are cordially invited to the exhibition opening with art workshops and supporting programme from 3.00 pm in the cathedral!
Between 3.00 p.m. and 5.30 p.m., guests can take part in art workshops in the wonderful setting of the time-honoured cathedral.
The exhibition will be opened at 6 p.m. by the Mayor and Councillor for Culture, Schools and Sport and Chairwoman of the Emperor Otto Foundation, Regina Dolores Stieler-Hinz, along with an artistic supporting programme in Magdeburg Cathedral.