Stück über Gewalt Sculpture

Sculpted in sandstone, the Stü ck über Gewalt embodies a powerful message. This two-meter-high sculpture depicts a scene of conflict. It portrays three soldiers amidst the chaos of war. One soldier callously steps over a wounded comrade. He prepares to hurl a grenade, perpetuating the cycle of violence. Right here in Langenhagen, Hans-Tewes Schadwinkel created this poignant artwork during the 1986 Langenhagen Sculpture Symposium. The Stü ck über Gewalt is more than just a sculpture. It’s a window into Schadwinkel’s childhood experiences during the end of World War II. He titled it “The Triumph of Good over Violence,” reflecting his personal struggle. Schadwinkel described the Stü ck über Gewalt as a representation of the destructive nature of war. It captures the dehumanizing aspects of conflict. The sculpture’s fragmented relief emphasizes the brutality he witnessed. It reminds us of the individual suffering within the larger context of war. Schadwinkel’s own words echo the sculpture’s message. He spoke of the pervasive violence in the “age of human rights.” He lamented the torture, death, and disregard for human dignity. He emphasized how individual suffering is always connected to the suffering of many. The Stü ck über Gewalt stands as a stark reminder of the horrors of war. It serves as a memorial to the countless victims, their individual faces lost in the masses.