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{{Infobox person
{{Orphan|date=March 2015}}
| name = Michael Schindhelm

| image = Michael Schindhelm.jpg
⚫
'''Michael Schindhelm''' (born 1 October 1960 in [[Eisenach]], [[Thuringia]]) is a [[German people|German]]-born Swiss writer, filmmaker and curator.
⚫
| caption = Schindhelm in Long Island, USA (2008)
⚫
[[File:Schindhelm.JPG|thumb|Schindhelm reading Dubai Speed]]
| birth_name =
⚫
[[File:Michael Schindhelm.jpg|thumb|Michael Schindhelm in Long Island/USA 2008]]
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1960|10|1|df=y}}

| birth_place = [[Eisenach]], [[Thuringia]], Germany
[[Category:Opera|Managers]]
| death_date =
[[Category:Arts managers]]
| death_place =
| other_names =
| occupation = Author, filmmaker and curator
| years_active =
| nationality = Swiss
| spouse =
| partner =
| children =
| website = https://michaelschindhelm.com/
}}
⚫
'''Michael Schindhelm''' (born 1 October 1960 in [[Eisenach]], [[Thuringia]]) is a German-born Swiss author, filmmaker and curator.
⚫
[[File:Schindhelm.JPG|thumb|Schindhelm reading ''Dubai Speed'']]


==Biography==
==Biography==


===Academic studies===
===Academic studies===
Michael Schindhelm grew up in the former GDR and completed his [[Abitur]] with an emphasis on [[chemistry]]. He studied at the [[Voronezh State University]] in the former [[Soviet Union|USSR]] graduating with a master's degree in [[quantum chemistry]].
Schindhelm grew up in the former [[GDR]] and completed his [[Abitur]] with an emphasis on [[chemistry]]. He studied at the [[Voronezh State University]] in the former Soviet Union graduating with a master's degree in [[quantum chemistry]].<ref name="Social Life Mag">{{Cite magazine |last=Berlin |first=Kevin |date=May 2016 |title=The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg |url=https://issuu.com/sociallifemagazine/docs/may/158 |magazine=Social Life Magazine |page=158}}</ref> From 1984 to 1986 he started his work as assistant professor for the Zentralinstitut für physikalische Chemie of the [[East Berlin]] Academy of Science where he worked in the department of theoretical [[chemistry]] (director: Lutz Zülicke) along with the current [[German chancellor]] [[Angela Merkel]]. He then worked as translator, author, and dramatic advisor until 1990.
From 1984 to 1986 he started his work as assistant professor for the "Zentralinstitut für physikalische Chemie" of the [[East Berlin]] Academy of Science where he worked in the department of theoretical [[chemistry]] (director: Lutz Zülicke) along with the current [[German people|German]] [[chancellor]] [[Angela Merkel]]. He then worked as translator, author, and dramatic advisor until 1990.


===Theater===
===Theater===
In 1990, Schindhelm became advisor to the theater manager in [[Nordhausen]], and then director of the Theater [[Nordhausen]] Loh-Orchester [[Sondershausen]] Foundation. In 1992 he was appointed theatre director in [[Gera]]. From 1994 to 1996 he was founding Director General of the theater and opera house Theater & Philharmonie Thueringen in Gera and [[Altenburg]]. From 1996 to 2006 he acted as director of the [[Theater Basel]] ([[Switzerland]]), performing opera, drama, and ballet. Theater Basel was “theatre of the year 1999” in the [[German language|German]]-speaking countries and received the [[Bavaria]]n Theatre Award in the same year and in 2001. From 1997 to 2005 he served also as president of the [[symphonic]] orchestra [[Sinfonieorchester Basel]]. In April 2005 he was appointed general director of the Opernstiftung (opera foundation) in [[Berlin]]. He acted as the first Director General of the newly founded Opernstiftung Berlin comprising Berlin's three opera houses ([[Komische Oper Berlin]], [[Staatsoper Unter den Linden]], [[Deutsche Oper Berlin]]).
In 1990, Schindhelm became advisor to the theater manager in [[Nordhausen, Thuringia|Nordhausen]], and then director of the {{Ill|Theater Nordhausen/Loh-Orchester Sondershausen|de}} Foundation. In 1992 he was appointed theatre director in [[Gera]]. From 1994 to 1996 he was founding Director General of the theater and opera house Theater & Philharmonie Thueringen in Gera and [[Altenburg]]. From 1996 to 2006 he acted as director of the [[Theater Basel]] (Switzerland), performing opera, drama, and ballet. Theater Basel was Theatre of the Year 1999 in the German-speaking countries and received the Bavarian Theatre Award in the same year and in 2001. From 1997 to 2005 he served also as president of the [[Sinfonieorchester Basel]]. In April 2005 he was appointed general director of the Opernstiftung (opera foundation) in Berlin. He acted as the first Director General of the newly founded Opernstiftung Berlin comprising Berlin's three opera houses ([[Komische Oper Berlin]], [[Staatsoper Unter den Linden]], [[Deutsche Oper Berlin]]).


===Literature/Film===
===Literature/film===
Michael Schindhelm continues to work as novelist, librettist, film documentarist and translator (Russian/German). Since 2000 he published [http://dispatch.opac.d-nb.de/DB=4.1/REL?PPN=121887642 seven books] (fiction and non-fiction). His latest work "Lavapolis" has been published in German (Matthes&Seitz Berlin, 2014) and in English (Sternberg Press, 2014). It is the foundation of a transmedia story including the web platform [http://www.lavapolis.com/ lavapolis.com] and a participation at La Biennale di Venezia 2014. The previous work "Dubai Speed" has been published in German (dtv, 2009) and under the title Dubai High in English (Arabian Publishing, 2011). He wrote the opera libretto to [[Klaus Huber]]'s "Schwarzerde" (Basel, 2001) on the Russian poet [[Osip Mandelstam]] and to [[Cong Su]]'s "Welten in Quecksilberlicht" ([[Berlin]], 2006) about the Chinese poet [[Gu Cheng]]. In 2003 he filmed the documentary [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1233311/ “Lied von der Steppe“] in the [[Gobi Desert]] in collaboration with Jörg Jeshel. From 2003 to 2008 he created the film [https://web.archive.org/web/20090423151713/http://www.herzogdemeuron-film.com/en/trailer/ “Birds Nest“] on the making of the [[Beijing National Stadium]] in collaboration with [http://www.schaubfilm.ch/ Christoph Schaub].<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2363384/ Michael Schindhelm filmography] on [[IMDb]]</ref>
Schindhelm continues to work as novelist, librettist, film documentarist and translator (Russian/German). He has published seven books since 2000 (fiction and non-fiction). His previous works include ''Lavapolis'', a transmedia story published in German (Matthes & Seitz Berlin, 2014) and in English (Sternberg Press, 2014) which integrated a web platform lavapolis.com as well as a live participation at La Biennale di Venezia 2014, and ''Dubai Speed'' which has been published in German (dtv, 2009) and in English under the title ''Dubai High'' (Arabian Publishing, 2011). He wrote the opera libretto to [[Klaus Huber]]'s ''Schwarzerde'' (Basel, 2001) on the Russian poet [[Osip Mandelstam]] and to [[Cong Su]]'s ''Welten in Quecksilberlicht'' (Berlin, 2006) about the Chinese poet [[Gu Cheng]]. In 2003 he filmed the documentary ''Lied von der Steppe'' in the [[Gobi Desert]] in collaboration with Jörg Jeshel. Between 2003 and 2008, he filmed the documentary ''Birds Nest'' on the making of the [[Beijing National Stadium]] in collaboration with Christoph Schaub.<ref>{{IMDb name|2363384|Michael Schindhelm}}</ref>
In 2003 Schindhelm appeared as a TV anchorman and as a host in the Swiss German TV talk show “Der Salon”. He has translated works by [[Gogol]], [[Anton Chekhov|Chekhov]] and [[Osip Mandelstam|Mandelstam]] into German. <br />
In 2003 Schindhelm appeared as a TV anchorman and as a host in the Swiss German TV talk show ''Der Salon''. He has translated works by [[Gogol]], [[Anton Chekhov|Chekhov]] and [[Osip Mandelstam|Mandelstam]] into German.

In February 2016 will be premiered his film The Chinese Lives of [[:de:Uli Sigg|Uli Sigg]] about the Swiss entrepreneur, philanthropist and art collector Uli Sigg who created the first joint venture of a Western corporation in China (1979 with Schindler Elevators) and the largest collection of contemporary Chinese art worldwide which in part he donated to the [http://www.westkowloon.hk/en/mplus M+] museum in Hong Kong in 2012.
February 2016 saw the premiere of his film ''The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg'' about the Swiss entrepreneur, philanthropist and art collector [[Uli Sigg]] who created the first joint venture of a Western corporation in China (1979 with Schindler Elevators) and the largest collection of contemporary Chinese art on the planet which he donated a part of to Hong Kong's M+ museum in 2012.


===Cultural research, teaching, and consultancy===
===Cultural research, teaching, and consultancy===
Schindhelm started working in [[Dubai]] in March 2007, and one year later he was appointed cultural director of the [http://www.dubaiculture.ae/en/ Dubai Culture and Arts Authority]. His work there focused on the "Khor Dubai" project - the development of cultural infrastructure with museums and theaters along the creek.
Schindhelm started work in [[Dubai]] in March 2007. One year later, he was appointed Cultural Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. His work there focused on the "Khor Dubai" project – the development of cultural infrastructure with museums and theaters along its famous creek.


He left Dubai in 2009 and started acting as cultural advisor to public organizations in Asia and Europe. Since 2009 he consults the Dutch architectural office [[OMA (architecture)|OMA]] on the master plan for the large-scale development [[West Kowloon Cultural District]], [[Hong Kong]].<ref>http://www.openbuildings.com/west-kowloon-cultural-district-profile-3082.html{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} description master plan West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong, September 2010</ref> In 2010 he collaborated with the [[think tank]] [[AMO (architecture)|AMO]] on the conceptualization of the educational program for [[Strelka Institute]], [[Moscow]]. From 2010 to 2012 worked as professor for the subject of [[public space]]<ref>http://www.strelkainstitute.com/en/blog/918 website Strelka Institute, interview on public space, Moscow, November 2010</ref> at Strelka, Moscow. At the same time he developed a proposal on culture and sports for the Innovation City of Skolkovo in Russia. Since 2012 he is advisor for international affairs at [[Zurich University of the Arts]]<ref>http://www.zhdk.ch, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste</ref> and curator of a lecture series on global culture.
He left Dubai in 2009 and became cultural advisor to public organizations in Asia and Europe. Since 2009 he consults for the Dutch architectural office [[OMA (architecture)|OMA]] on the master plan for the large-scale development [[West Kowloon Cultural District]], Hong Kong.<ref>http://www.openbuildings.com/west-kowloon-cultural-district-profile-3082.html{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} description master plan West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong, September 2010</ref> In 2010 he collaborated with the [[think tank]] [[AMO (architecture)|AMO]] on the conceptualization of the educational program for [[Strelka Institute]], Moscow. From 2010 to 2012 worked as professor for the subject of [[public space]]<ref>http://www.strelkainstitute.com/en/blog/918 website Strelka Institute, interview on public space, Moscow, November 2010</ref> at Strelka, Moscow. During this time he developed a proposal on culture and sports for the Innovation City of Skolkovo in Russia. Since 2012, he has been an advisor of international affairs at the [[Zurich University of the Arts]]<ref>http://www.zhdk.ch, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste</ref>{{failed verification|date=May 2019}} and curator of a lecture series on global culture. Since 2013 he has been a board of trustees member with German charity organization [[Welthungerhilfe]].<ref>http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,722922,00.html ''Der Spiegel'', Travels in a Quiet Land (North Korea), October 2010</ref>

Since 2013 he is member of the board of trustees of the German charity organization [[Welthungerhilfe]].<ref>http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,722922,00.html Der Spiegel, Travels in a Quiet Land (North Korea), October 2010</ref> From 2018, Michael Schindhelm will curate Dresden's application for the title of European Capital of Culture 2025. <ref>http://www.dresden.de/de/rathaus/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/2018/03/pm_057.php</ref>
Schindhelm was listed by the [[Stasi]] as an 'unofficial contributor' in the 1980s. Disciplinary councils in Switzerland (2001) and Germany (2004) concurrently found that these contacts did not call into question Schindhelm's activities in public office.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/michael-schindhelm-ist-intendant-des-theaters-in-basel--jetzt-wird-er-generaldirektor-der-stiftung-oper-in-berlin--trotz-seiner-stasi-akte-die-pruefung-15440860|title=Michael Schindhelm ist Intendant des Theaters in Basel. Jetzt wird er Generaldirektor der Stiftung Oper in Berlin. Trotz seiner Stasi-Akte: Die Prüfung}}</ref> In 2006, Schindhelm received positive mention in German Chancellor [[Angela Merkel]]'s 1st National Day public address.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/service/bulletin/bulletin-2000-bis-2009/rede-von-bundeskanzlerin-dr-angela-merkel-797168|title = Rede von Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Angela Merkel}}</ref>

Starting 2018, Schindhelm curates Dresden's application for the title of [[European Capital of Culture]] 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dresden.de/de/rathaus/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/2018/03/pm_057.php |title=Michael Schindhelm wird Kurator für Dresdens Kulturhauptstadtbewerbung |access-date=2018-03-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180317110523/https://www.dresden.de/de/rathaus/aktuelles/pressemitteilungen/2018/03/pm_057.php |archive-date=2018-03-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Publications==
==Publications==
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* In German: ''Roberts Reise'' (dtv, Munich 2000), ''Zauber des Westens'' (DVA, Munich 2001), ''Das Kamel auf der Startbahn'' (Christoph Merian Verlag, Basel 2004), ''Die Herausforderung'' (DVA, Munich 2006), ''Mein Abenteuer Schweiz'' (Echtzeit Verlag, Zurich 2007), ''Dubai Speed'' (dtv, Munich 2009), ''Lavapolis'' (Matthes & Seitz, Berlin 2014), ''Letzter Vorhang'' (Theater der Zeit, Berlin 2017), ''Walter Spies – Ein exotisches Leben'' (Hirmer, München 2018)
* In German: ''Roberts Reise'' (dtv, Munich 2000), ''Zauber des Westens'' (DVA, Munich 2001), ''Das Kamel auf der Startbahn'' (Christoph Merian Verlag, Basel 2004), ''Die Herausforderung'' (DVA, Munich 2006), ''Mein Abenteuer Schweiz'' (Echtzeit Verlag, Zurich 2007), ''Dubai Speed'' (dtv, Munich 2009), ''Lavapolis'' (Matthes & Seitz, Berlin 2014), ''Letzter Vorhang'' (Theater der Zeit, Berlin 2017), ''Walter Spies – Ein exotisches Leben'' (Hirmer, München 2018)


==Documentary Films==
==Films==
* ''Chants of the Steppes'' (2004) about music of nomads in the desert Gobi (Mongolia).
* ''Chants of the Steppes'' (2004) about music of nomads in the desert Gobi (Mongolia).
* ''Bird’s Nest'' (2008) on the making of Beijing’s Olympic Games Stadium (designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog&deMeuron).
* ''Bird's Nest'' (2008) on the making of Beijing's Olympic Games Stadium (designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog&deMeuron).
* ''[[The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg]]'' (2016) Theatrical Release February (Europe), March (Asia)
* ''[[The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg]]'' (2016) Theatrical Release February (Europe), March (Asia)
* ''[https://www.dw.com/en/revolution-in-medicine-project-biontech/a-59472999 Revolution in Medicine. Project Biontech]'' (2021)''.'' Documentary about the founders of BioNTech and the creation of the first vaccine against COVID-19.
* ''[[Outland (2021 film)|Outland]]'' (2021). Ticino, Switzerland's Southern canton, as a refuge for the nonconformists and migrants of the past and the present.
* ''In the Mood for Art'' (2023). Documentary about the M+ museum and Hong Kong's art scene.

== Exhibitions ==

* 2008: [https://aminalsaden.com/2008-Exhibition-Dubai-Next-OMA-Vitra-Design-Museum Dubai Next], Vitra Museum Weil
* 2014: [https://www.labiennale.org/en/architecture/2014/weekend-specials Friday in Venice], Architectural Biennale Venice
* 2018: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtxXSwbzDMY Zurich Oracle], Audio-Intervention in public Spaces in Zurich
* 2019: [https://www.dresden2025.de/de/events/2019/neueheimatdresden2025.php Neue Heimat Dresden 2025], Deutsches Hygienemuseum Dresden
* 2022: [https://www.projektlightspeed.de/en/ Projekt Lightspeed], Deutsches Technikmuseum Berlin
* 2024: [https://www.kbhg.ch/en/1428d/Exhibitions-THE-END-OF-AGING The End of Aging], KBH.G Basel
* 2024: [https://www.kbhg.ch/en/1429d/Exhibitions-ROOTS Roots], KBH.G Basel

==Awards==
* 1999 [[:de:Bayerischer Theaterpreis|Bavarian Theater Award]] (on behalf of Theater Basel)
* 2001 [[:de:Bayerischer Theaterpreis|Bavarian Theater Award]] (on behalf of Theater Basel)
* [[:de:Herbert Quandt Medien-Preis|Herbert Quandt Medien-Preis]] 2022 (for the documentary [https://michaelschindhelm.com/en/magazine/ "Revolution in Medicine – Project BioNTech"])
* [https://www.bmwk.de/Redaktion/DE/Pressemitteilungen/2022/10/20221025-preistragenden-des-55-deutschen-wirtschaftsfilmpreises.html Deutscher Wirtschaftsfilmpreis] 2022 (for the documentary [https://michaelschindhelm.com/en/magazine/ "Revolution in Medicine – Project BioNTech"])
* [https://www.kleinreport.ch/news/verleihung-der-goldenen-federn-102970/ Golden Pen of Swiss Association for Internal Communication 2023] for "In the Mood for Art"


==Opera Librettos==
==Opera librettos==
* ''Schwarzerde'' by Klaus Huber (Basel, 2001) on the Russian poet Osip Mandelstam
* ''Schwarzerde'' by Klaus Huber (Basel, 2001) on the Russian poet Osip Mandelstam
* ''Welten in Quecksilberlicht'' by Cong Su, (Berlin, 2006) about the Chinese poet Gu Cheng.
* ''Welten in Quecksilberlicht'' by Cong Su, (Berlin, 2006) about the Chinese poet Gu Cheng
In 2003 Schindhelm appeared as a TV anchorman and as a host in the Swiss German TV talk show “Der Salon”.
In 2003 Schindhelm appeared as a TV anchorman and as a host in the Swiss German TV talk show “Der Salon”.
He has translated works by Gogol, Chekhov and Mandelstam into German.
He has translated works by Gogol, Chekhov and Mandelstam into German.


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==External links==
==External links==
{{External links|date=May 2019}}
* [http://www.michaelschindhelm.com/ Official website], Michael Schindhelm
* {{official website|http://www.michaelschindhelm.com/}}
* [http://www.ulisiggmovie.com/ Official website of The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg], film by Michael Schindhelm
* [http://www.ulisiggmovie.com/ Official website of The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg], film by Michael Schindhelm
* [http://creative.arte.tv/de/friday-in-venice/ ARTE Creative], Web platform of the transmedia story "Lavapolis"
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140602011222/http://creative.arte.tv/de/friday-in-venice ARTE Creative], Web platform of the transmedia story "Lavapolis"
* [http://www.lavapolis.com/ Lavapolis], Web platform of the transmedia story "Lavapolis"
* [http://www.lavapolis.com/ Lavapolis], Web platform of the transmedia story "Lavapolis"
*[http://www.dubai-speed.de], website to Dubai Speed, dtv, November 2009
*[http://www.dubai-speed.de], website to Dubai Speed, dtv, November 2009
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*[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1406782,00.html The Real Drama of Berlin Opera], ''[[Deutsche Welle]]'', November 25, 2004
*[http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,1406782,00.html The Real Drama of Berlin Opera], ''[[Deutsche Welle]]'', November 25, 2004
*[http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/0,1518,463923,00.html "Berlin ist pubertär"] Interview with Michael Schindhelm, ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', April 2, 2007 (in German).
*[http://www.spiegel.de/kultur/musik/0,1518,463923,00.html "Berlin ist pubertär"] Interview with Michael Schindhelm, ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', April 2, 2007 (in German).
*[http://dispatch.opac.d-nb.de/DB=4.1/REL?PPN=121887642 List of works by Michael Schindhelm] in the [[German National Library]] (Deutschen Nationalbibliothek).
*[http://dispatch.opac.d-nb.de/DB=4.1/REL?PPN=121887642 List of works by Michael Schindhelm]{{Dead link|date=May 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} in the [[German National Library]] (Deutschen Nationalbibliothek).
*{{IMDb name|2363384}}
*{{IMDb name|2363384}}
*[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,722922,00.html], Der Spiegel, Travels in a Quiet Land (North Korea), October 2010.
*[http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,722922,00.html], Der Spiegel, Travels in a Quiet Land (North Korea), October 2010.
*[http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2008/04/16/new_director_of_culture_named_in_dubai/4088/ New director of culture named in Dubai]{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[UPI]], April 16, 2008.
*[https://archive.today/20110524185044/http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Entertainment/2008/04/16/new_director_of_culture_named_in_dubai/4088/ New director of culture named in Dubai], [[UPI]], April 16, 2008.
*[http://www.dubaiculture.ae/en/ Dubai Culture & Arts Authority]
*[http://www.dubaiculture.ae/en/ Dubai Culture & Arts Authority]
*[http://www.strelkainstitute.com/en/blog/918], website Strelka Institute, interview on public space, Moscow, November 2010
*[http://www.strelkainstitute.com/en/blog/918], website Strelka Institute, interview on public space, Moscow, November 2010
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[[Category:German theatre directors]]
[[Category:German theatre directors]]
[[Category:German male writers]]
[[Category:German male writers]]
[[Category:Opera|Managers]]
[[Category:Opera managers]]
[[Category:Arts managers]]
[[Category:German theatre managers and producers]]

Latest revision as of 11:52, 28 May 2024

Michael Schindhelm
Schindhelm in Long Island, USA (2008)
Born (1960-10-01) 1 October 1960 (age 64)
Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany
NationalitySwiss
Occupation(s)Author, filmmaker and curator
Websitehttps://michaelschindhelm.com/

Michael Schindhelm (born 1 October 1960 in Eisenach, Thuringia) is a German-born Swiss author, filmmaker and curator.

Schindhelm reading Dubai Speed

Biography

[edit]

Academic studies

[edit]

Schindhelm grew up in the former GDR and completed his Abitur with an emphasis on chemistry. He studied at the Voronezh State University in the former Soviet Union graduating with a master's degree in quantum chemistry.[1] From 1984 to 1986 he started his work as assistant professor for the Zentralinstitut für physikalische Chemie of the East Berlin Academy of Science where he worked in the department of theoretical chemistry (director: Lutz Zülicke) along with the current German chancellor Angela Merkel. He then worked as translator, author, and dramatic advisor until 1990.

Theater

[edit]

In 1990, Schindhelm became advisor to the theater manager in Nordhausen, and then director of the Theater Nordhausen/Loh-Orchester Sondershausen [de] Foundation. In 1992 he was appointed theatre director in Gera. From 1994 to 1996 he was founding Director General of the theater and opera house Theater & Philharmonie Thueringen in Gera and Altenburg. From 1996 to 2006 he acted as director of the Theater Basel (Switzerland), performing opera, drama, and ballet. Theater Basel was Theatre of the Year 1999 in the German-speaking countries and received the Bavarian Theatre Award in the same year and in 2001. From 1997 to 2005 he served also as president of the Sinfonieorchester Basel. In April 2005 he was appointed general director of the Opernstiftung (opera foundation) in Berlin. He acted as the first Director General of the newly founded Opernstiftung Berlin comprising Berlin's three opera houses (Komische Oper Berlin, Staatsoper Unter den Linden, Deutsche Oper Berlin).

Literature/film

[edit]

Schindhelm continues to work as novelist, librettist, film documentarist and translator (Russian/German). He has published seven books since 2000 (fiction and non-fiction). His previous works include Lavapolis, a transmedia story published in German (Matthes & Seitz Berlin, 2014) and in English (Sternberg Press, 2014) which integrated a web platform lavapolis.com as well as a live participation at La Biennale di Venezia 2014, and Dubai Speed which has been published in German (dtv, 2009) and in English under the title Dubai High (Arabian Publishing, 2011). He wrote the opera libretto to Klaus Huber's Schwarzerde (Basel, 2001) on the Russian poet Osip Mandelstam and to Cong Su's Welten in Quecksilberlicht (Berlin, 2006) about the Chinese poet Gu Cheng. In 2003 he filmed the documentary Lied von der Steppe in the Gobi Desert in collaboration with Jörg Jeshel. Between 2003 and 2008, he filmed the documentary Birds Nest on the making of the Beijing National Stadium in collaboration with Christoph Schaub.[2] In 2003 Schindhelm appeared as a TV anchorman and as a host in the Swiss German TV talk show Der Salon. He has translated works by Gogol, Chekhov and Mandelstam into German.

February 2016 saw the premiere of his film The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg about the Swiss entrepreneur, philanthropist and art collector Uli Sigg who created the first joint venture of a Western corporation in China (1979 with Schindler Elevators) and the largest collection of contemporary Chinese art on the planet which he donated a part of to Hong Kong's M+ museum in 2012.

Cultural research, teaching, and consultancy

[edit]

Schindhelm started work in Dubai in March 2007. One year later, he was appointed Cultural Director of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority. His work there focused on the "Khor Dubai" project – the development of cultural infrastructure with museums and theaters along its famous creek.

He left Dubai in 2009 and became cultural advisor to public organizations in Asia and Europe. Since 2009 he consults for the Dutch architectural office OMA on the master plan for the large-scale development West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong.[3] In 2010 he collaborated with the think tank AMO on the conceptualization of the educational program for Strelka Institute, Moscow. From 2010 to 2012 worked as professor for the subject of public space[4] at Strelka, Moscow. During this time he developed a proposal on culture and sports for the Innovation City of Skolkovo in Russia. Since 2012, he has been an advisor of international affairs at the Zurich University of the Arts[5][failed verification] and curator of a lecture series on global culture. Since 2013 he has been a board of trustees member with German charity organization Welthungerhilfe.[6]

Schindhelm was listed by the Stasi as an 'unofficial contributor' in the 1980s. Disciplinary councils in Switzerland (2001) and Germany (2004) concurrently found that these contacts did not call into question Schindhelm's activities in public office.[7] In 2006, Schindhelm received positive mention in German Chancellor Angela Merkel's 1st National Day public address.[8]

Starting 2018, Schindhelm curates Dresden's application for the title of European Capital of Culture 2025.[9]

Publications

[edit]
  • In English: Dubai High (Arabian Publishing, London 2011), Lavapolis (Sternberg Press, New York, Berlin 2014).
  • In German: Roberts Reise (dtv, Munich 2000), Zauber des Westens (DVA, Munich 2001), Das Kamel auf der Startbahn (Christoph Merian Verlag, Basel 2004), Die Herausforderung (DVA, Munich 2006), Mein Abenteuer Schweiz (Echtzeit Verlag, Zurich 2007), Dubai Speed (dtv, Munich 2009), Lavapolis (Matthes & Seitz, Berlin 2014), Letzter Vorhang (Theater der Zeit, Berlin 2017), Walter Spies – Ein exotisches Leben (Hirmer, München 2018)

Films

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  • Chants of the Steppes (2004) about music of nomads in the desert Gobi (Mongolia).
  • Bird's Nest (2008) on the making of Beijing's Olympic Games Stadium (designed by Swiss architectural firm Herzog&deMeuron).
  • The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg (2016) Theatrical Release February (Europe), March (Asia)
  • Revolution in Medicine. Project Biontech (2021). Documentary about the founders of BioNTech and the creation of the first vaccine against COVID-19.
  • Outland (2021). Ticino, Switzerland's Southern canton, as a refuge for the nonconformists and migrants of the past and the present.
  • In the Mood for Art (2023). Documentary about the M+ museum and Hong Kong's art scene.

Exhibitions

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Awards

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Opera librettos

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  • Schwarzerde by Klaus Huber (Basel, 2001) on the Russian poet Osip Mandelstam
  • Welten in Quecksilberlicht by Cong Su, (Berlin, 2006) about the Chinese poet Gu Cheng

In 2003 Schindhelm appeared as a TV anchorman and as a host in the Swiss German TV talk show “Der Salon”. He has translated works by Gogol, Chekhov and Mandelstam into German.

References

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  1. ^ Berlin, Kevin (May 2016). "The Chinese Lives of Uli Sigg". Social Life Magazine. p. 158.
  2. ^ Michael Schindhelm at IMDb
  3. ^ http://www.openbuildings.com/west-kowloon-cultural-district-profile-3082.html[permanent dead link‍] description master plan West Kowloon Cultural District, Hong Kong, September 2010
  4. ^ http://www.strelkainstitute.com/en/blog/918 website Strelka Institute, interview on public space, Moscow, November 2010
  5. ^ http://www.zhdk.ch, Zürcher Hochschule der Künste
  6. ^ http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,722922,00.html Der Spiegel, Travels in a Quiet Land (North Korea), October 2010
  7. ^ "Michael Schindhelm ist Intendant des Theaters in Basel. Jetzt wird er Generaldirektor der Stiftung Oper in Berlin. Trotz seiner Stasi-Akte: Die Prüfung".
  8. ^ "Rede von Bundeskanzlerin Dr. Angela Merkel".
  9. ^ "Michael Schindhelm wird Kurator für Dresdens Kulturhauptstadtbewerbung". Archived from the original on 2018-03-17. Retrieved 2018-03-18.
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