In early April 2016 a concept sketch was submitted to the art-for-architecture competition for the multi-purpose arena in Erfurt. The competition description included the following requirements of the participating artists: “The result should be a work of art that possesses an image function as a kind of signet, an iconic design. This art for architecture should relate to the site and at the same time be in accordance with the various functions and recipient relationships (sports and culture) of the ensemble.”
in upright format
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horizontal format
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horizontal format,
detail
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in the space
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outside
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inside
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The idea:
The title “Rot Weiss Festival” (“Red White Festival”) includes the concept. The title says everything. It proclaims the emotions that are released by big sporting and cultural events. It arouses notions of expectation, excitement, the feeling of community, simultaneity of experience, joy. Everything that the title suggests is made into a promise in the visual implementation of the art concept. The image confirms and reinforces the emotions, activates the feeling of community, and provides an impulse to join. The colours red and white form a tie to the place.
The formal execution:
The visual solution consists of two complementary parts. One and the same image unfolds in excerpts on an extremely tall and on an extremely wide surface. This generates an antithesis full of tension, and furthermore the associations of a flagpole and a garland in connection with fluttering ribbons. The white of the walls is integrated through the openness of the image contour and participates in the energy of the image.
Positioning:
The two parts of the motif are to be applied to the east walls of the lobby and thus project in a common direction. The choice of the east walls highlights the walls that account for the smallest surface in the hall. The large walls in the north and west therefore remain untouched. The north and west walls take up the theme of white. They are also available without restriction for event communication, for example in the shape of temporary mega-posters. The art for the building lends to the event communication an “accompanying melody” that creates identity.