Art News

Berlin Exhibit by German Artist Simon Menner Uncovers Once Highly Classified Stasi Photos

BERLIN (REUTERS).- Spies from former communist East Germany demonstrate the art of disguise by donning fur wigs, fake mustaches and dark glasses in a Berlin exhibition of recently uncovered and once highly classified photographs. German artist Simon Menner, who put together the exhibition “Pictures from the Secret Stasi Archives,” said it should show how something that seems harmless, such as these images that could be shots from a spy film spoof, can harbor danger. “These were used during courses on how to dress up and blend into society,” the 33 year-old artist said. “They seem pretty absurd now, but it was meant seriously — this is evil stuff.” Menner says he aims to fuel a debate about the problems inherent to the concept of surveillance, using