Do you see those peculiar shapes before you? Those are the Gänsefüßchen oben Sculpture. Literally translated, Gänsefüßchen means goose feet. But here, it represents something more conceptual. These structures are actually artistic representations of quotation marks.
Kirsten Kaiser, a Münster-based artist, created this thought-provoking piece in 1997. The Gänsefüßchen oben Sculpture is not just a standalone artwork. It is one half of a pair. The other half resides at the beginning of Gasselstiege.
The lower quotation marks mark the start. The Gänsefüßchen oben Sculpture marks the end of the street in front of the Schulze Gassel farm in Kinderhaus district. The two sculptures together create a dialogue across space.
Each punctuation mark is stamped out of steel. They are painted with black varnish. Three slender steel supports hold them aloft.
The idea sprang from Kaiser’s deep dive into the history of Gasselstiege. It is one of Münster’s oldest streets. The artwork connects to its surroundings on many levels. Kaiser cleverly incorporates the street’s name into the title.
The name Gasselstiege likely comes from the Schulze Gassel farm. It may also be from “Gössel.” That is the Low German word for a young goose. This links to Everhard Schulte to Gassel’s family history back in 1535. The family’s coat of arms even features a white goose flying on a blue and gold background.
Kaiser’s subtle gesture does something remarkable. It claims a geographically vast space. This space spans about 4.5 kilometers. It underscores our sense of time and space.
Interestingly, the Gänsefüßchen oben Sculpture wasn’t just arbitrarily placed. Kaiser won a competition for art in architecture. This was connected to a new housing estate construction. The residents particularly loved the Gänsefüßchen. Their strong support helped bring the work to life. It showcases successful citizen involvement in shaping public spaces.
So, as you stand before the Gänsefüßchen oben Sculpture, consider its layers of meaning. It’s a punctuation mark. It’s a historical reference. It is a testament to community collaboration. It is a celebration of Münster’s unique story etched in steel.