Known by many in Hamburg, the Periskopisch Mural stands boldly on the legendary Grünspan music club’s outer wall. Werner Nöfer and Dieter Glasmacher designed this mural in 1968. But did you know that it was one of Europe’s first wall paintings?
Now a listed landmark, the Periskopisch Mural is iconic to Hamburg’s music and club scene. In fact, the Hamburger Kunsthalle showcased Werner Nöfer’s graphic works. These often served as models for his public space creations. The silkscreen “Periskopisch” mirrors the mural we see here at Grünspan.
Werner Nöfer’s art reflects the late 1960s. Pop Art mixes with landscape motifs and graphic precision. The Periskopisch Mural captivates us with its carefully chosen colors and formal language. Nöfer drew inspiration from artists like Eduardo Paolozzi. Paolozzi is considered the father of Pop Art. Yet, Nöfer’s art offers a humorous take on technology’s impact. He saw the violence of the technological and mechanical environment.
In silkscreen motifs like Blind Flight and Monitor, Nöfer presents a picture within a picture. Can you see it? A clear horizon signals a world shaped by technical devices. Werner Nöfer has exhibited widely since the 1960s. He also designed the signage for Berlin’s Tegel Airport. Another mural by him adorns Hamburg’s Abaton Cinema.
Around 1970, Hamburg’s graphic art scene was lively. It is being rediscovered today. The Kunsthalle received most of Nöfer’s graphic works as a gift in 2017. They have been displayed for the first time since then. These works, together with films and sketchbooks, offer insight into Nöfer’s overall work. Jörg Schilling has researched Nöfer’s work extensively. He is publishing a monograph titled Erinnerungen an Landschaften. Werner Nöfers Arbeiten im öffentlichen Raum.
The Periskopisch Mural is more than just a painting. It is a cultural statement. It reflects a time of change. It embodies the spirit of Hamburg’s music scene. Take a moment. Let the mural’s colors and shapes speak to you. Consider its history and its place in Hamburg’s artistic landscape. The Periskopisch Mural stands as a testament to art’s power. It transforms public spaces. It sparks conversation. It captures the essence of an era.