Winner of the market fountain competition has been announced
"Manifold" design wins over 113 other entrants
The winner of the market fountain competition has been announced. It is the work of the London-based German artist Daniel Widrig entitled "Manifold". This was announced today by Mayor Michael Stötzer. "We had a huge range of designs. That was very pleasing, but also made the decision difficult." After two days of intensive deliberation and discussion, the jury decided "relatively unanimously" on the three winners. The chairwoman, Else Gabriel, Professor of Fine Art and Sculpture, informed the winner shortly after the decision.
From the 114 designs submitted to the open international artistic competition organised by the city, 9 finalists were selected by the jury, who have been discussing the placings intensively since yesterday.
A budget of 450,000 euros has been earmarked for the construction of the fountain. "The implementation planning will be commissioned this year. Construction of the fountain should then begin in 2020," says Michael Stötzer, outlining the next steps.
1st place Daniel Widrig - "Manifold" design
Jury statement: The jury awarded first place to Manifold by Daniel Widrig. Rotationally symmetrical sculptural bodies are among the archetypes of the industrial age. The sculptures, which are up to three metres high, vary from large, expansive to fragile, narrow cross-sections. The group of sculptures gives rise to lively bodies that are contoured by the swelling water and changing light. They form a group on the market.
The formal semantics of the sculptural ensemble reach far back to the beginnings of industrialism and at the same time allow structures to appear that give us a glimpse of the future.
The surface is reflective, not only reflecting the surroundings of the marketplace, but also entering into a dialogue with the viewer. Fine threads of water give the space a high quality of use and variety.
In the jury's opinion, the design is best suited to creating a lively meeting place between the objects and the water.
"The sculptures, which are up to 2.80 metres tall, are made of shiny, bright stainless steel and in combination with the water they will be an interesting eye-catcher on the market," promises Michael Stötzer.
2nd place Mojca Kocbek Vimos - Design: Red Arch
Jury statement: The jury awarded second place to the Red Arch by Mojka Kocbek Vimos, as the model was characterised by a clear formal design and a strong presence on the market square. The artist incorporated the surrounding architecture, such as the round arches of the town hall, into the design without subordinating it to the city in order to achieve the best possible signalling effect. She thus fulfils the requirement to create a market fountain that is highly recognisable. In formal terms, the technoid design draws on regional traditions, such as mechanical and automotive engineering, but also the textile industry. Without affirmatively celebrating a hymn to technocracy, she emphasises the artistic sovereignty and the creative quotation with regard to the design of the last 50 years over the subjugation to technology and thus asserts the primacy of design and communication. This is because the design is also highly functional with a view to enabling communicative meeting zones. The stainless steel material and the colour treatment with a layer of polyurethane paint and epoxy primer promise a long service life and robustness.
3rd place Dagmara Genda - Design: Fountain
Jury statement: The special feature of the design of the fountain is seen in the moulding into the depths of the market square, from which a fountain jet emerges at different heights. The design of the height jumps in the form of oval steps creates a quality of stay that is suitable as a meeting point on the market square. The current global discussion and problem of climate change is chosen as a reference for the height of the fountain jet, in which the height of the sea level can be read from the water level at different times of day. The fountain is to be created from European granite, which will be worked differently in different areas to create contrasts. The jury's decision was made in favour of a fountain design that is more prominent in height in the surroundings of the market square.
A jury consisting of the art historian Susanne Altmann, the Professor of Fine Arts and Sculpture, Else Gabriel, the designer Prof. Karl Clauss Dietel, the landscape architect Stefan Leiste, the Professor of Surface Design, Jörg Steinbach, the Rector of the Dresden University of Fine Arts, Matthias Flügge and the Director of the Dresden University of Fine Arts. Karl Clauss Dietel, the landscape architect Stefan Leiste, the professor of surface design Jörg Steinbach, the rector of the Dresden University of Fine Arts Matthias Flügge and the director of the Chemnitz Art Collections Frédéric Bußman, together with the six expert judges, Michael Stötzer, Mayor of Urban Development and Construction, Ulf Kallscheidt, SPD parliamentary group, Thomas Lehmann, Alliance 90/The Greens parliamentary group, Kai Tietze, Left Party parliamentary group, Sandro Schmalfuß, Vosi/Pirate parliamentary group member and Prof. Christian von Borczyskowski, Mayor of Chemnitz. Christian von Borczyskowski, Henry van de Velde Gesellschaft Sachsen, and two deputy judges Joachim Zschocke, PRO Chemnitz parliamentary group, and Ferenc Csák, Head of Cultural Operations, selected the works of the nine international artists from 114 entries.
Note: The winning design and the eight other models can be viewed in the Kunstsammlungen Chemnitz until 28 June. Admission is free.