MediatheK

Dieter Matysik is a true veteran of the international model-making scene. INTERMODELLBAU is like his second living room. Although the Oberhausen native grew up far away from the sea in the Ruhr area and is still deeply rooted there today, he discovered his love of maritime shipping at an early age – and combined it with his passion for model making. To this day, he is the second chairman of the Schiffs-Modellsport-Club Oberhausen e.V. He joined in 1970. He was president of the German model shipbuilding association nauticus e.V. for 26 years and of the world association NAVIGA for 12 years. As early as 1979, he was a helper at the first World Model Shipbuilding Championships. In the meantime, Dieter Matysik has returned to his roots: cardboard model building. His enthusiasm is undiminished He travels to exhibitions all over Germany with his lighthouse models. In 2025, he will also be at INTERMODELLBAU – and he has a lot to tell…

Mr. Matysik, what actually got you into model making?

It’s hard to say why I was so fascinated by the subject of shipping as a person from the Ruhr area, but the fascination was always there. I started building cardboard models as a child, around 1960 or 1961, because it was the only affordable hobby for me at the time. As an eight-year-old from a modest background, I had to think carefully about how I spent my free time. This enthusiasm for ships, seafaring and technology has grown stronger and stronger over the years. Like so many others, I am fascinated by recreating the world in miniature. Maybe it runs in the family a bit, because my father was partly an artist. My training at the post office in precision mechanics certainly encouraged this.

What still excites you about model making even after decades?

What particularly excites me about model making is the process itself. For me, the journey is the goal. Dealing with the material, the making is three quarters of the pleasure – inventing, trying out and putting into practice, failing and starting all over again. It has always fascinated me to see what people from different backgrounds and backgrounds are able to create from very simple materials with a lot of patience and meticulousness. And, of course, the work of the association has also influenced me. I still enjoy participating in community projects to this day. This mixture of craftsmanship, technology, creativity and the community, the coming together of like-minded people from different backgrounds and backgrounds still inspires me today.

You also use model making to get involved in society. How does that fit together?

For some time now, I have been working once a week with children from my granddaughter’s elementary school on a 1:200 scale model of the Titanic. It is now almost finished, and if everything goes smoothly, we will be presenting it at the upcoming INTERMODELLBAU 2025. It’s a spectacular project that promotes children’s social skills and fine motor development. Unfortunately, this is increasingly being lost in today’s society. I find it incredibly rewarding to work with young people and to be a role model. For me, it’s the perfect combination of my passion for model making and the opportunity to inspire young people for this art form and strengthen them in their development.

What makes INTERMODELLBAU special for you and what does it contribute to the model making scene?

INTERMODELLBAU is characterized by its enormous diversity, a huge wealth of inspiration and information. It covers everything you can imagine and always surprises with innovative ideas. INTERMODELLBAU not only promotes the exchange of knowledge, but also strengthens the network and community within the model making community. Interested parties from all over the world and from all conceivable subject areas come together here. Many of those who are intensively involved in model making today first came to their hobby through INTERMODELLBAU or got to know each other this way.

What developments and trends in model shipbuilding have you experienced and where do you see model shipbuilding today?

Revolutionary! Model shipbuilding has undergone an explosive development in recent decades. When I got into model building in the 1960s, there were no accumulators or batteries and we still made our own remote controls. For a long time, we still worked with simple spray guns, but today we use airbrushes. From 3D printers to VR goggle control, today’s technical possibilities and the large international network in model making open up completely new dimensions. This makes model shipbuilding one of the most exciting and diverse disciplines in model making. At INTERMODELLBAU you will find the latest technology and can marvel at trends live.

When you think back, what are your most formative memories?

A milestone was the first World Model Shipbuilding Championships in 1979, where we saw the incredible skills of the international scene for the first time. Among others, we met the GDR team there, which was a special experience. At the second World Championships in 1981, we saw for the first time what the Chinese had already achieved with simple means. Our jaws dropped. It took the competition to a whole new level. And when I was able to bring the World Model Shipbuilding Championships to Dortmund at INTERMODELLBAU in 2010 together with Messe Dortmund, that was the crowning glory.

If you could “bring to life” a particular ship for a day – which one would it be and why?

I have a passion for building prototypical model ships. This includes existing and former models. I would love to build another container ship. I find the technology with which these ships are equipped particularly exciting, but I’m also fascinated by life on board. As a young man, I once sailed on a container ship in the Baltic for two weeks. You have to work extremely precisely to model a container ship like this in as much detail as possible. That takes time. I’ve already spent two months on the small lighthouse alone, which will also be on display at the next INTERMODELLBAU.

As an old hand, how do you view current developments in model making?

I find the current development incredibly exciting. It’s no longer possible to think in traditional dimensions, because the possibilities seem almost limitless. Just think about how artificial intelligence (AI) will leave its mark on model making in the future – be it in knowledge transfer, execution or tool control. Many people no longer create their models in the workshop, but program them on the computer for years and then print out their model at some point – or remain completely in virtual space. What used to be files and brushes are now digital tools for many people. But the starting point is the same. The human tendency to depict the world in other dimensions will always remain. Only the possibilities for doing so are more diverse.

Last but not least, what are your tips for anyone who wants to get into model making?

I would still say: despite all the modernity and all the innovations that are imaginable or already available, it is always good to have a certain basis. In my opinion, what distinguishes model making is not just thinking with your head, but also making things with your hands. The ability to realize things with the help of your own motor skills will always be necessary. Simply relying on the push of a button is not enough. I always say: you can only be a boss if you know what a hammer is, what the head is for and what the handle is for. Otherwise you won’t be able to see the big picture. A visit to INTERMODELLBAU is sure to provide valuable inspiration.