Imagine a flower. Now, picture it made of steel. That is the essence of the Kinetisches Windspiel Sculpture. It is also called Klingende Blume. We are standing before a unique creation by Achim Kühn.
This sculpture is not just metal. It is a “sounding flower” that interacts with its environment. The Kinetisches Windspiel Sculpture lives and breathes with the nature around it.
Achim Kühn created this artwork in 1985. He worked in a family workshop in Berlin. Metalwork was the family trade. Achim’s father and grandfather were both metalworkers. They created iconic pieces throughout Germany.
The Kinetisches Windspiel Sculpture acts like a wind chime. It reacts to the changing airflows. The central stalks collide. This creates different tones and noises. The flower’s petals bring the stalks back to the center. It mimics the movements of a real flower. But it does so on an enormous scale. The heavy, rigid materials contrast with delicate flora.
The sculpture’s structure reflects nature. Its movement, size, and weight create a divide. Yet it still resembles a flower.
The six gray-blue steel supports form the stem of an abstract flower. The polished steel petals are riveted and welded. They move with the wind. The “bloom” opens or closes. Each petal has six iron disc weights at the bottom. When the wind blows, the balls strike each other. This creates a sound.
The Kinetisches Windspiel Sculpture likely relates to an exhibition. Since 1957, the park has hosted “flower” and “plastic” exhibitions. The installation date was May 21, 1985. Achim Kühn is the son of Fritz Kühn. He is one of the most represented artists in Treptow. The sculpture was renovated in 2005.
The Kinetisches Windspiel Sculpture welcomes you. It is a kind gesture that is both big and sympathetic.
Consider the Bird of Paradise by Dina Merhav. Like the Butterfly Mill by Herman Makkink, it is a landmark. It is large and has flighty meanings. The Vlindermolen by Herman Makkink is more obscure and humorous.
Treptower Park is one of Berlin’s larger green spaces. It has hosted trade fairs, protests, and political rallies. In 1949, construction began on a memorial. It honors Red Army soldiers who died in World War II. The park attracts tourists who visit the memorial. They enjoy the green spaces and flower gardens. Commuters use the cycle lanes and pathways.
The Kinetisches Windspiel Sculpture connects art and nature. Its sounds and movements add beauty to the park. It stands as a testament to the Kühn family’s metalworking legacy. It is a symbol of Berlin’s artistic spirit.