From whichever direction you came to Erfurt - for around 20 years, one of the four „Thüringer Allgemeine“ letterings on the former newspaper tower on Juri-Gagarin-Ring could be seen from all points of the compass. Even better at night, when the neon green lines outshone all the other lights in the city. It was only when the old office tower was converted into a modern residential building - the editorial office and publishing house had long since moved to Erfurt-Bindersleben - that cranes lifted the lettering to the ground.

One of them is now shining in bright colors again - Erfurt artist Marc Jung has designed the last of the four letterings. For days, he transformed a factory hall in Bindersleben into a studio and turned the vandalized billboard into a brightly coloured installation. It now draws attention to the exhibition „Ballast of the Republic“ by Marc Jung in front of the Defensionskaserne.

„Many of the exhibition themes are reflected in the lettering,“ explains the artist, who does not hold back on criticizing society and the authorities in his drawings, but also denounces new, unpleasant virtues. The front is still dominated by the almost man-sized neon tubes, which glow again thanks to the strong colors from the spray can.

On the reverse, on the other hand, Marc Jung illustrates current topics such as digital transformation, freedom of the press and opinion, freedom of speech and individual freedom. „I have tried to illustrate current topics such as the transition from the old to the new media, but also the discussions about freedom of opinion and personal freedom,“ explains the artist.

Marc Jung and TA editor-in-chief Jan Hollitzer will open the exhibition with a talk on Saturday, December 2, at 7 p.m., accompanied by music from DJ Beathova and DJ Showifact.