Is it possible to shorten the sky? Here at the Aa-Promenade, beside the Catholic-Theological Faculty of the University of Münster, stands the Verkürzter Himmel sculpture. This intriguing artwork by Giovanni Anselmo makes you ponder this very question. The Verkürzter Himmel, which translates to “Shortened Sky,” was installed permanently in 1987. This gleaming steel column, held in a delicate balance by iron clamps and a grounding element, seems simple at first glance. Look closer. Etched into the top surface, you’ll find the words “Verkürzter Himmel”. Anselmo created a similar piece in 1969/1970, titled “Cielo accorciato” in Italian. He explained his concept: he wanted to make infinity more human. Since the sky doesn’t begin in the stratosphere, but here on Earth, he symbolically shortened it by a meter. The placement of the inscription, etched into the top, is deliberate. Anselmo envisioned the sky itself being aware of this symbolic shortening. The Verkürzter Himmel, located next to the theological faculty, adds another layer of meaning. It subtly challenges traditional theological concepts of an abstract, distant heaven. Some interpret it as advocating for a more earthly, socially engaged church. This thought-provoking sculpture invites us to consider the relationship between the earthly and the divine, the finite and the infinite, right here on the Aa-Promenade.
Центральный дом работников искусств
Step through the grand wooden doors of the Central House of the Workers of Art, and you’ll be transported to