In German, we use the same word for the stone of a fruit and the centre of a city: Kern. So we say Stadtkern to talk about downtown. That’s why this public artwork in the Styrian capital made me smile.
Category: Public Art
“Arschbombe” in Kassel
After leaving Kassel Central Station, I saw this odd detail on a hotel roof: a diving platform! The explanation for this strange view: It’s public art with the title “Arschbombe”. Kassel is truly a hotspot for contemporary art. [German]
“The Little Sandman” in Erfurt
“Please take a seat but be careful, don’t fall asleep!” This sculpture in Erfurt, named Little Sandman (Sandmännchen), refers to a German children’s bedtime television programme using stop motion animation.
Huge music stands at Querfurt Castle
Three music stands (Notenständer) with a height of four metres reflect that Querfurt Castle (Burg Querfurt) houses a music school. Artist Ingo Güttler created these pieces of contemporary art. They play music and form a sound installation. The music stands are removable. So they disappear while the castle is used for festivals or as a set for movies.
Käpt’n Blaubär and Hein Blöd
These sculptures on the river Gera in Erfurt represent Käpt’n Blaubär and Hein Blöd. Both were stars in a German children’s comedy television series. Käpt’n Blaubär (Captain Bluebear) also appeared in the educational children’s television series Die Sendung mit der Maus.
Downpipes at the Kunsthof in Dresden
Strange downpipes seen at the Kunsthof in Dresden. This public art created by Annette Paul, Christoph Roßner and André Tempel produces a fun show during certain hours and rainfalls.
Public art by Peter Makolies in Dresden
This is one of four sandstone masks created by Peter Makolies in the years 1982/84 They are decorating the corners of the administration building of the Saxon State Opera generally known as the Semperoper.
Sculpture park in Poysdorf
Next to the WEIN+TRAUBEN Welt (Wine & Grapes Universum) of the Vinoversum in Poysdorf there is a sculpture park displaying works created by the sculptor Martin Messinger. The naked man and the lady standing at the road between Vienna and Brno are just eye catchers for the park which is hidden behind the wall.
Street art in Poysdorf
Poysdorf, a place famous for its wine in the Austrian state of Lower Austria, is coverd with 100+ depictions of wine bottles each decorated by a different artist. Love No. 55 which I found in the beginning of the hollow way Radyweg.
Sphaera by Stephan Balkenhol
Memories! Years ago, I used to play chess with local people on the board depicted above. I am glad to see the public chessboard is still in use. By the way, the man on the sphere is a sculpture created by Stephan Balkenhol. The official name is ‘Sphaera’, but people call it ‘Mozartkugel’.
Contemporary soffit at Butcher’s Guildhall in Hildesheim
The probably most famous building at the market square of Hildesheim is the guildhall of the butchers (Knochenhaueramtshaus). It was destroyed in March 1945 and has been completely restored after 1986.
Installation ‘Warten auf Vögel IV’ in Vienna
This installation created by the artist Josef Bernhardt is called ‘Warten auf Vögel IV’ (‘Waiting for Birds IV’). It is part of the project ‘Kunst im Öffentlichen Raum’ (Art in Public Spaces) in Vienna.