Does this spot near the taxi stand on the station forecourt in Dortmund feel incomplete? In 2002, the city felt the same way before Wolfgang Schlieker’s Skulptur Frei im Raum was erected here. It is a captivating sculpture that blends contrasting materials and concepts.
Skulptur Frei im Raum, created by artist Wolfgang Schlieker, is a testament to his artistic vision. Schlieker proposed to the city to liven up the area with a sculpture. The city agreed and the Skulptur Frei im Raum was born. The artwork has been in place since 2002.
The sculpture incorporates stainless steel, basalt stone, and wire cables. These materials combine to create a striking visual statement. A 450-kilogram basalt block appears to float suspended by wire ropes from stainless steel supports. The dark basalt contrasts with the sleek metal.
Schlieker only lightly worked the basalt stone, which was brought from Turkey. He peeled and sanded it to make the material sensuous. You are explicitly encouraged to touch the stone. The artist wanted viewers to connect with the sculpture on a tactile level.
The creation of Skulptur Frei im Raum involved around 200 hours of work by Wolfgang Schlieker. The city covered material costs. Schlieker donated his artistic skills. The then mayor, Nils Kruse, praised this collaboration. Schlieker said he was delighted the city made this work possible.
Even after its unveiling, some locals needed time to understand the art. One older man asked when the foil would be removed. He was referring to the shiny black basalt. The artwork had already been unveiled.
Wolfgang Schlieker, originally from Castrop-Rauxel, often displayed his sculptures in public spaces. Many of his works are kinetic sculptures designed to swing when touched. The artist emphasizes that touching them is explicitly allowed.
Schlieker often used stone and steel in his creations. These materials presented challenges due to their weight and unwieldiness. Yet, the artist managed to seemingly defy gravity in his works. He made granite and basalt appear to float.
These heavy elements are connected by long, curved steel bands. They link the earth and sky. Air movement adds to the kinetic effect, causing the sculptures to oscillate. Schlieker had a passion for rocks and minerals. He viewed them as natural elements. Steel, in his view, represented human creation and industry.
Consider how Skulptur Frei im Raum transforms this space. It prompts us to think about balance. It makes us think about collaboration and the interplay of nature and industry. Touch the stone. Feel the connection to the earth and the artist’s vision.