Weiblicher Teenager mit Pelikan Statue

Did a teenager ever truly *want* to feed a pelican? Here at the Tierpark Berlin, Walter Lerche’s “Weiblicher Teenager mit Pelikan” statue captures that awkward moment. The bronze sculpture, installed in 1967, depicts a young woman, hair in a practical bun, offering a fish to a rather insistent pelican. She’s dressed simply, almost tomboyishly. Her stance suggests a mix of reluctance and amusement, as if she’s not entirely sure how she got into this predicament. The Weiblicher Teenager mit Pelikan statue is part of a larger collection of sculptures in the Tierpark, all by Lerche. These works, placed in the south parterre of Schloss Friedrichsfelde, depict children interacting with animals. The artist aimed to showcase the different stages of childhood. The Weiblicher Teenager mit Pelikan embodies the teen years: that in-between stage of not quite a child, but not quite an adult either. Look closely at the pelican. Lerche perfectly captures its eagerness for the fish. The girl’s expression, though, is the real story. It speaks volumes about the sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes humorous encounters we have with the natural world. This statue, more than just bronze and stone, is a snapshot of a moment, a feeling, and a stage of life. It reminds us of our own awkward encounters, our own hesitant steps towards adulthood. The Weiblicher Teenager mit Pelikan, in its quiet corner of the Tierpark, offers a touch of humor and a dash of nostalgia amidst the vibrant life of the animal kingdom.