Perhaps you have noticed these unusual objects around the main railway station. These are not ordinary utility boxes. They are part of Tobias Rehberger’s “The Moon in Alabama”. This project transforms mundane objects into vibrant art.
“The Moon in Alabama” began in 2011. Peter Cremer and the City of Münster initiated the project. They wanted to enhance the quality of life in the station district through art. Tobias Rehberger developed the project. It was implemented in 2014.
The project has a unique funding model. Funds from the Ministry for Construction, Housing, Urban Development and Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia were combined. They were merged with those of the ISG and private sponsors. This collaboration made the urban planning measure possible. The ISG bears the maintenance costs for ten years. Partnerships ensure care and preservation.
These switch boxes are usually hidden. They regulate communication and transport. In Münster, they have become artistic interventions. Tobias Rehberger is an internationally renowned artist. He is known for his bar “Günter’s (wiederbeleuchtet)”. It was a highlight of the Sculpture Projects Münster 1997. He redesigned eleven switch box locations. Grey cubes became playful colorful seating. They add accents to the station area. They invite people to sit and interact.
Each object tells a story. From Goa to Alabama, each relates to a different city. When the moon rises in that city, it also appears in Münster. A luminous sphere shines above each construction. It resembles a radiant flower.
Dr. Gail Kirkpatrick curated the project. She is the director of the Kunsthalle Münster. Rehberger transformed “non-places” into sites of quality. He turned blind spots into actual places. The artist wants the installations to transform non-places. He hopes to make them living locations. People can meet or rest there. They can be surrounded by the urban bustle.
The City of Münster now has eleven new sculptural attractions. Each one is different. The first two sculptures were presented in autumn 2013. These installations encourage people to sit down. They create meeting points. They offer a place to rest. Each is watched over by its own moon.
The moons only light up when their corresponding city’s moon rises. This links Münster to a global network. So next time you pass by “The Moon in Alabama”, take a seat. Consider the connections between cities. Think about the hidden beauty in everyday objects.