Green and plump the Dicke Raupe rests. This isn’t just any caterpillar. This is a Frankfurt landmark. A giant sculpture crafted from plastic. It’s the brainchild of F K Waechter a renowned caricaturist. A representative of the Neue Frankfurter Schule.
The Dicke Raupe wasn’t always here. It began as a sketch. One of a series of whimsical creatures. Waechter envisioned it nestled in a birch tree. However that tree succumbed to a fungus. The resilient Raupe found a new home in a nearby tree. Unfortunately that too perished.
The hot and dry summers of 2019 and 2020 proved too much. The Dicke Raupe needed a rescue. It underwent a renovation in 2021. It now sits on an alder tree. Its vibrant green color restored. It remains just as chubby as before.
Andreas Rohrbach brought the artwork to life. He built the sculpture in 2008. He also oversaw its rejuvenation. The Dicke Raupe is the seventh of Waechter’s sketches realized. More are planned along the Grüngürtel hiking trail. A collaboration between the city and the Caricatura Museum for Comic Art.
This delightful sculpture blends art with nature. It reflects the playful spirit of the Neue Frankfurter Schule. Its journey from sketch to sculpture to relocation speaks of persistence. It’s a quirky piece of public art that brightens the day. For those who seek it out. A smile awaits them along the Grüngürtel. A testament to creativity and resilience. A reminder that even caterpillars have their adventures.