Wasserspeier Sculpture

Approaching the Wasserspeier Sculpture, one might initially see just a playful bronze figure. But this sculpture holds a deeper, darker story. The Wasserspeier, or “Water Spout,” is more than just art. It’s a symbol of resilience, a testament to a tragic chapter in Hamburg’s history. The original Wasserspeier, created by Richard Haizmann in 1930, once graced a playground on Humboldtstrasse in Barmbek. Haizmann, a painter, sculptor, and ceramicist, poured his creativity into this piece. He envisioned it as a whimsical addition to a children’s space. However, this vision would soon be shattered. With the rise of the Nazi regime, Haizmann’s art, deemed “degenerate,” was targeted. In 1937, the Wasserspeier was ripped from its place, displayed in the infamous “Degenerate Art” exhibition, and subsequently destroyed. Haizmann, labeled an undesirable, left Hamburg in 1934, seeking refuge in Niebüll. There, he lived near Emil Nolde, another artist grappling with the oppressive climate. Haizmann retreated into “inner emigration,” a form of silent protest against the stifling control of artistic expression. Though the original Wasserspeier was lost, its story was not forgotten. In 1951, Haizmann received a small sum as compensation for the destruction of his work, a hollow gesture against the immense loss. Decades later, the Wasserspeier was reborn. In 1994, a replica was cast and installed in Hamburg’s Stadtpark, at the edge of a children’s paddling pool. This new Wasserspeier serves as a reminder of the Nazi’s suppression of art and the resilience of artists like Haizmann. A plaque near the sculpture tells its full story, inviting us to reflect on the past and celebrate the enduring power of creativity. The Wasserspeier stands as a symbol of Hamburg’s commitment to remembering and learning from its history, ensuring that such acts of cultural vandalism are never repeated.