A colossal woman emerges from the Inner Alster Lake. This isn’t any ordinary lake dweller. This is Die Badende The Bather a 67-foot-long sculpture. She’s a temporary resident a ten-day wonder.
The Hamburg woman is more than just a pretty face. Created by German sculptor Oliver Voss she’s a giant advertisement. Soap & Glory a British beauty company commissioned this behemoth. They wanted to make a splash quite literally. The sculpture promotes the art of bathing.
But this magnificent Bather isn’t without controversy. District mayor Markus Schreiber called her an eyesore sullying the beloved lake. Voss however saw it differently. He believed she celebrates the relationship between Hamburg and its waterways. He wanted people to rediscover and experience the city from a new perspective.
Imagine paddling in a rented boat getting an up-close view of this aquatic giant. Her blonde head and two knees poking from the water are undeniably memorable. She weighs over two tons a monumental presence. Her creation wasn’t without its challenges. Technical problems delayed her installation.
The Hamburg woman is made of styrofoam and steel stabilized by sandbags and buoys. She’s not a mermaid though lacking a tail. She’s more of a relaxed bather enjoying a long soak. She is more than a sculpture. She is a talking point an unforgettable experience for tourists. She embodies the playful and innovative spirit of Hamburg.
And on August 12th she’ll be lifted out of the water. A giant towel awaits to dry her off after her ten-day bath. Her brief but spectacular stay will leave a lasting impression on anyone who saw her. The Hamburg woman is a unique testament to artistic ingenuity advertising and the sometimes surprising ways art can interact with a city.