Großer Phönix III Sculpture

Gazing up at the monumental form, wouldn’t you agree there’s something captivating about the Großer Phönix III Sculpture? Here in the Zollernhof, home to the ZDF Hauptstadtstudio, this bronze marvel commands attention. Bernhard Heiliger, a prominent German artist, created this sculpture. The Großer Phönix III marks the culmination of his “Bronze Age,” a period where he explored the interplay of polished and patinated surfaces. This piece, created between 1966 and 1992, stands as a testament to Heiliger’s mastery of form and texture. The sculpture’s ascending wing motif seems to defy the weight of the bronze, giving it an almost weightless elegance. The polished surfaces reflect light and the surrounding environment, further enhancing this ethereal quality. The interplay of smooth and rough textures, visual and tactile elements, creates a harmonious blend of contrasts. This isn’t the first phoenix Heiliger brought to life. The Großer Phönix III is part of a series. It started with the Großer Phönix I in Nuremberg in 1966. Then came the Großer Phönix II. This third iteration, however, features distinct golden polished areas that contrast with the dark patina of the bronze. A fascinating story surrounds the creation of this particular sculpture. A cast of the Großer Phönix II was damaged on its way to the foundry in 1992. Heiliger, undeterred, reworked the damaged plaster model. This resulted in three bronze versions of the Großer Phönix III. You can find them in various locations, including the Museum Würth in Künzelsau, the Bernhard-Heiliger-Stiftung Sculpture Garden, and right here in Berlin’s Zollernhof. So, as you admire the Großer Phönix III, remember the journey of its creation, a testament to Heiliger’s artistic vision and resilience. It stands as a symbol of rebirth and transformation, a phoenix rising from the ashes, both literally and figuratively.