Museum of Utopia and Everyday Life, Eisenhüttenstadt [Museum Utopie und Alltag]

The Museum of Utopia and Everyday Life brings together the Documentation Centre of Everyday Culture of the GDR in Eisenhüttenstadt and the Beeskow Art Archive. Even though the Eisenhüttenstadt collection was neither set up as a design collection nor can it be considered as such, the everyday things preserved in it nevertheless provide an insight into design in the GDR.
East German design was not primarily aimed at objects that might express high status, but was oriented towards the ideal of creating both good and long-lasting utility value for the general public. The Rationell gastronomy series designed in 1969–70 by Margarete Jahny and Erich Müller is also a reflection of this. In addition to the plain white option, Jahny and Müller also designed different contrast bands to accommodate demands for variety. Furthermore, the manufacturers also offered other fashionable motifs. This stackable crockery became especially well known through its use by the Mitropa travel catering business.