What’s with the upside-down lady in a polka-dot swimsuit? Here at Grieser Platz in Berlin, stands the Europa macht Handstand III statue. It’s quite a sight. This quirky sculpture, created by Ernst Leonhardt in 1995, depicts a curvaceous woman doing a one-handed handstand. Europa macht Handstand III isn’t your typical, graceful statue. She’s wearing a dark blue swimsuit with light blue polka dots, perched atop a brick pedestal. Her sunglasses even have light blue lenses.
Ernst Leonhardt, born in Berlin in 1935, is a member of the Berliner Künstler association. He created a series of these larger-than-life women sculptures in the 1990s. They are all made from polyurethane. This particular piece, Europa macht Handstand III, is his personification of Europe. Leonhardt chose to portray Europe not as a young beauty, but as a strong, vibrant woman. A woman who’s still full of life, even if she’s not in the first bloom of youth. It’s a playful, perhaps unexpected image.
The location of Europa macht Handstand III isn’t random. Grieser Platz, where the statue stands, is named after the Brenner Pass Gries. This pass marks a European border. The connection between the statue’s name, “Europa,” and the location’s connection to a European border is intriguing. It offers a layer of meaning to the artwork. Perhaps it’s a commentary on Europe’s ever-shifting boundaries, or maybe it’s simply a celebration of its diverse people. The statue stands as a testament to Leonhardt’s unique vision and his playful interpretation of a complex concept. So next time you’re in Berlin, take a detour to Grieser Platz and marvel at this upside-down woman. Take a moment to ponder what she might represent to you.