Doesn’t that orange color grab your attention? It’s the “Große Hülle” sculpture. This striking artwork has sparked much discussion since its installation.
Werner Knaupp created this sculpture. It now graces the Stadtpark. The “Große Hülle” was officially unveiled on June 2, 2017. Many curious onlookers attended.
Knaupp spent his childhood in Stein. He remembers this time fondly. Thus, he wanted to show his connection to Franconia. He would do so with a lasting piece of art. He offered the city the sculpture “Große Hülle 1987” for a symbolic price. The city council unanimously accepted.
The sculpture was created in 1986. It was made in Hans Hahn’s workshop in Winkelhaid. It served as the final piece in a series of steel sculptures. In March and April 1987, it was displayed at the Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus in Munich.
The orange-painted metal body stretches over 18 meters. Its back arches gracefully. It represents a highlight in Werner Knaupp’s exploration of three-dimensional forms.
Let’s delve into the details of “Große Hülle 1987”. It consists of an industrially standardized pipe with a 17 cm diameter. Werner Knaupp and master blacksmith Hans Hahn split it in the middle using a cutting torch. This separation released forces. The metal body deformed creating the elongated arch.
Helmut Friedel is an art historian. He was the director of the Städtische Galerie im Lenbachhaus in Munich until 2013. He notes that the resulting form resembles a modern passenger plane wing. It might also be the sheath of a giant knife. Either way, it seems to cut through the ground. It extends conceptually beneath the surface.
The sculpture divides the space into two distinct units. Its height also puts the size of the human body into perspective. At both ends, the viewer sees a body lying down. Walking along, it gradually rises. It becomes a man-high wall. Thus, it presents an insurmountable barrier.
Werner Knaupp is a key figure in a generation of artists. In the 1960s, they sought to escape the confines of non-objectivity. They wanted to do this without abandoning the achievements of modernism.
His work has been repeatedly exhibited in the Neues Museum Nürnberg. His pieces are well represented in the collection. These range from drawings and paintings to prints and sculptures.
From 1986 to 2001, the internationally recognized artist was a professor of painting at the Nuremberg Academy of Fine Arts. In 1977, he participated in “documenta 6”. He has been a member of the Bavarian Academy of Fine Arts since 2004.
The “Große Hülle” stands as a testament to Knaupp’s vision. It reflects his connection to the region. It also showcases his artistic exploration of form and space. Take a moment to appreciate its bold presence. Consider the discussions it has sparked and the artistic journey it represents.