In mid-March 2023 a proposal was submitted for an art-for-architecture competition for the Bürgerhaus (community centre) in Mainz-Finthen. It is intended that the work should relate both to the community centre and to the neighbouring nursery school.
Relationship to the place:
Finthen is a fruit-growing district of Mainz. The address of the community centre and nursery school is Am Obstmarkt (At the Fruit Market). The art object entitled Obstgarten (Orchard) relates to this and reinforces the identification of local people with their place of residence.
The artistic concept:
The motif of the orchard is made abstract, reduced and condensed into a sculptural sign expressing growth, abundance, life and, beyond this, diversity.
Formal relationship:
The dominant characteristic of the tree in the background is that it advances upwards and outwards. This is the starting point for the art object, which reflects the aesthetic potential of nature. From this, the austere cuboid architecture of the building gains a living impulse.
Colour relationship:
The complementary contrast of red and green has a latent presence in the surroundings, from the pink tints in the grey of the façades and from the green of the lawn. The art object enhances this contrast and thus lends chromatic emphasis to the location.
Interactive invitation:
The Obstgarten art object can be entered and used in play. It provides the children with a labyrinth, encouraging them to hide and to play catch, and to engage in other imaginative games.
Safety:
It is not possible to climb on the object. The gaps between the four-sided columns allow the children to pass through easily. Adults too can pass between the columns to reach their children. The edges of the object are rounded with a radius of 3 mm. In this way they comply with the relevant DIN regulations.