Viersen sculpture collection
Encyclopedia
The Viersen Sculpture Collection belongs to the major sculpture parks
in Germany and is located in the center of Viersen
(North Rhine-Westphalia
).
When in 1992 the 12 meters high steel sculpture New Star consisting of five parts, which was already created in 1986/87 by the US-Artist Mark di Suvero
, was first erected on loan on the Diergardt-Place, a storm of protest against it arose via letters to the editor of the local paper by Viersen citizens. This example of modern art was too alien to many of them. Meanwhile repeated information over the artists and their works, the international acceptance of the exhibition shown by numerous visitors form all over Germany, as well as other countries and extensive media coverage have led to a change of heart among the citizenry.
(1996), which was created especially for the Viersen Sculpture Park. The first sculpture was the in 1989 erected Monument consisting of Eifel
basalt
by the artist Erwin Heerich (1922-2004), then teaching art at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
. Above that the artist presented the collection in 1992 with a bird bath from the same material, as well as several benches made of steel and stone, which go very well with the other artworks in the park.
Other important works of the Sculpture Park are:
In 1999 a special edition of graphic works by artists who had contributed to the Viersen Sculpture Collection was published, the profits of which were meant to go into the acquisition of further works of art. In addition the Viersener Heimatverein published several art historic brochures on the respective works of art.
Sculpture garden
A sculpture garden is an outdoor garden dedicated to the presentation of sculpture, usually several permanently sited works in durable materials in landscaped surroundings....
in Germany and is located in the center of Viersen
Viersen
Viersen is the capital of the district of Viersen, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.-Geography:Viersen is situated approximately 8 km north-west of Mönchengladbach, 15 km south-west of Krefeld and 20 km east of Venlo ....
(North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia
North Rhine-Westphalia is the most populous state of Germany, with four of the country's ten largest cities. The state was formed in 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly part of Prussia. Its capital is Düsseldorf. The state is currently run by a coalition of the...
).
History
The Viersen Sculpture Collection was built up during the last 25 years by the donation of the American businessman and former Viersen citizen William Pohl as well as by other donations and funds from the “Stiftung Kunst und Kultur” of North Rhine-Westfalia. So the park surrounding the City Art Gallery “Galerie im Park” developed into a fine sculpture collection to which contributed well renowned artists with remarkable works.When in 1992 the 12 meters high steel sculpture New Star consisting of five parts, which was already created in 1986/87 by the US-Artist Mark di Suvero
Mark di Suvero
Marco Polo "Mark" di Suvero is an American abstract expressionist sculptor born Marco Polo Levi in Shanghai, China in 1933 to Italian expatriates. He immigrated to San Francisco, California in 1942 with his family. From 1953 to 1957, he attended the University of California, Berkeley to study...
, was first erected on loan on the Diergardt-Place, a storm of protest against it arose via letters to the editor of the local paper by Viersen citizens. This example of modern art was too alien to many of them. Meanwhile repeated information over the artists and their works, the international acceptance of the exhibition shown by numerous visitors form all over Germany, as well as other countries and extensive media coverage have led to a change of heart among the citizenry.
Significance and works
A special attraction within the collection is the bronze Articulated column by the English artist Tony CraggTony Cragg
Tony Cragg is a British visual artist specialized in sculpture. He is currently the director of the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf.-Early life:Cragg was born in Liverpool in 1949...
(1996), which was created especially for the Viersen Sculpture Park. The first sculpture was the in 1989 erected Monument consisting of Eifel
Eifel
The Eifel is a low mountain range in western Germany and eastern Belgium. It occupies parts of southwestern North Rhine-Westphalia, northwestern Rhineland-Palatinate and the south of the German-speaking Community of Belgium....
basalt
Basalt
Basalt is a common extrusive volcanic rock. It is usually grey to black and fine-grained due to rapid cooling of lava at the surface of a planet. It may be porphyritic containing larger crystals in a fine matrix, or vesicular, or frothy scoria. Unweathered basalt is black or grey...
by the artist Erwin Heerich (1922-2004), then teaching art at the Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
Kunstakademie Düsseldorf
The Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, formerly Staatliche Kunstakademie Düsseldorf, is the Arts Academy of the city of Düsseldorf. It is well known for having produced many famous artists, such as Joseph Beuys, Gerhard Richter, Sigmar Polke, Thomas Demand, and Andreas Gursky...
. Above that the artist presented the collection in 1992 with a bird bath from the same material, as well as several benches made of steel and stone, which go very well with the other artworks in the park.
Other important works of the Sculpture Park are:
- David Lauer: Figur, body of bronze on base of basalt (1989)
- Karl Horst Hödicke: Kaspar, bronze sculptured column (1989)
- Wolfgang Nestler: Position im Schwerpunkt (1997)
- Roberto MattaRoberto MattaRoberto Sebastián Antonio Matta Echaurren , better known as Roberto Matta, was one of Chile's best-known painters and a seminal figure in 20th century abstract expressionist and surrealist art....
: Chaosmos (2002) - Günther Haese: Optimus II, kineticKinetic artKinetic art is art that contains moving parts or depends on motion for its effect. The moving parts are generally powered by wind, a motor or the observer. Kinetic art encompasses a wide variety of overlapping techniques and styles.-Kinetic sculpture:...
installation (2007) - Wang DuWang DuWang Du is a contemporary Chinese artist who focuses on three-dimensional painted objects. Traditionally trained in Guangzhou, he now lives and has his studio in Paris...
: China Daily (2010)
In 1999 a special edition of graphic works by artists who had contributed to the Viersen Sculpture Collection was published, the profits of which were meant to go into the acquisition of further works of art. In addition the Viersener Heimatverein published several art historic brochures on the respective works of art.
Secondary Literature
- Joachim Peter Kastner: Günter Haese. Skulpturensammlung Viersen. Viersen 2007. ISBN 978-3-9808779-6-1
- Albert Pauly: Skulpturensammlung Viersen. In: „MuschelhaufenMuschelhaufenMuschelhaufen is a German annual, originally combining literature and graphic arts. It was founded by Erik Martin from Viersen in 1969 and published - with an interruption of 11 years - until 2008, when the last issue came out Muschelhaufen (heap of shells) is a German annual, originally...
“. Nr. 41. Viersen 2001. - Werner SpiesWerner SpiesWerner Spies is a German art historian, journalist and organizer of exhibitions. From 1997 to 2000, he was also a director of the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris.-Life and work:...
, Peter Kastner: Roberto Sebastian Antonio Matta Echaurren in der „Skulpturensammlung Viersen“. Viersen 2002. ISBN 3-9805339-5-6
External links
- Viersen Sculpture Collection (German, English, French, Italian, Dutch)
- Viersen Sculpture Collection (German)