Wind dances through these metal figures. These are the Windobjekte Sculpture. They are right here in Hanover. Let me tell you a story. It is about art, controversy, and a city’s evolving identity.
The story of the Windobjekte Sculpture begins with Niki de Saint Phalle. She was a Franco-American artist. She had a special connection with Hanover. In 1969, the Kunstverein Hannover held a retrospective exhibition of her work. The city loved it. In 1974, they commissioned her to create a permanent public art installation.
Saint Phalle was known for her Nanas. These were large, colorful sculptures of women. Hanover wanted some. The city wanted to modernize. It wanted to be brighter and more fun. The “Street Art Experiment” program was born. Its goal was to fill Hanover with modern art.
Saint Phalle created three Nanas for Hanover. They stood over five meters tall. They were made of fiberglass, polyester paint, and polychrome. The Nanas were erected along the Leine River. Controversy erupted.
The older generation complained. They said the money should have gone to schools and hospitals. They felt politicians were imposing art on them. The younger generation loved the Nanas. They saw them as a sign of a creative and modern city.
Enter Michael Gehrke. He was Hanover’s city image manager. He was also a key figure in Hanover’s jazz scene. Gehrke suggested naming the Nanas after “Hannover queens”. This was meant to calm the feuding residents.
The Nanas received names. Sophie of Hannover was a patroness of the arts. Charlotte Kestner inspired Goethe’s novel. Caroline Herschel was a noted astronomer.
The controversy peaked. Two thousand residents marched to the town hall. They demanded a public discussion with city officials. The debate was heated. One news article even claimed the Nanas distracted drivers.
A pro-Nana group formed. They called themselves “Friends of Nanas”. They put up a street sign warning drivers to pay attention. Finally, the city decided on a tug of war. Supporters and opponents faced off on the riverbank. The supporters won. The Nanas could stay.
Since then, the Windobjekte Sculpture have undergone several restorations. The most extensive restoration was in 2002. The Nanas were dismantled. They were transported to a workshop. The concrete inside was removed. The interior was reinforced. The outer walls were sanded and repainted.
Caroline was restored first. Sophie and Charlotte followed. In May 2005, all three Nanas were reunited. Niki de Saint Phalle felt a deep connection to Hanover. She donated much of her art to the Sprengel Museum. She also designed the Grotto in the Herrenhausen Gardens.
Saint Phalle once wrote. “The love people showed me was extremely healing for me.” The Windobjekte Sculpture stand as a testament to her legacy. They symbolize Hanover’s embrace of modern art. They remind us that art can spark debate. It can also unite a community.