Säule im Forum zwischen Stadtarchiv und Nordbad Sculpture

A broken pillar, reaching towards the sky. This is the Säule im Forum zwischen Stadtarchiv und Nordbad. It stands as a unique sculpture in Munich’s Schwabing district. The Säule im Forum zwischen Stadtarchiv und Nordbad isn’t just a random piece of art. It’s part of a larger installation by Anne and Patrick Poirier. The artwork was installed in 1990. The Säule im Forum zwischen Stadtarchiv und Nordbad stands before the Munich Stadtarchiv (City Archives) and the Nordbad (North Bath). It was intended to be the centerpiece of a new city square. However, the square never materialized. Instead, the Säule im Forum zwischen Stadtarchiv und Nordbad remains, a silent sentinel amidst the existing buildings. The pillar itself is made of stainless steel, reaching approximately 8.5 meters high. It rests on a stone pedestal. The pillar is intentionally broken, its seven segments offset against each other, creating a sense of interrupted continuity. Atop the fragmented column sits a panel, resembling an open book, perhaps symbolic of unfinished stories or knowledge yet to be discovered. The Säule im Forum zwischen Stadtarchiv und Nordbad is not alone. It is joined by three other pieces: “Oculus historiae” (Eye of History), “Oculus memoriae” (Eye of Memory), and “Oculus oblivionis” (Eye of Forgetting). The Oculus historiae, a gilded aluminum disc, is located above the entrance to the City Archives. The Oculus memoriae and Oculus oblivionis flank the entrance to the Nordbad. They are large marble sculptures, each depicting an oversized eye from Michelangelo’s David. The left eye represents memory, the right eye forgetting. The artists, Anne and Patrick Poirier, are known for their exploration of memory and forgetting. Their work often uses architectural fragments and symbolism. The location of the Säule im Forum zwischen Stadtarchiv und Nordbad and its companion pieces are significant. The City Archives, of course, houses the historical records of Munich. Its older section once served as the city’s military office at the beginning of World War I. The Nordbad, across the street, was built during the Nazi era, reflecting the neoclassical style prevalent at the time. Together, these buildings and the artwork create a powerful statement about history, memory, and the selective nature of remembrance. As you stand before the Säule im Forum zwischen Stadtarchiv und Nordbad, consider the interplay between these forces. The broken pillar, reaching for the sky, may symbolize the fragmented nature of history, while the watchful eyes remind us of the importance of both remembering and forgetting.