Feel the wind caress your face. We stand before the Windsbraut a kinetic sculpture in Frankfurt’s Hoechst district. This isn’t just any artwork. It’s a testament to artistry and engineering.
The Windsbraut created by E R Nele in 2008 stands tall. Its polished stainless steel gleams. Two curving columns support a swirling spiral. Atop sits a stylized female figure seemingly reaching into the space.
This five-meter-high masterpiece weighs 900 kilograms. Fourteen twenty-centimeter long bolts anchor it firmly. Its design is remarkable. It’s built to withstand winds up to 160 kilometers per hour. The spiral acts as a counterweight to the figure. This clever design allows a dance between wind and form creating the sculpture’s name.
The choice of steel is no accident. It echoes the nearby Taunus railway overpass. Nele cleverly used the same material forging a connection between the sculpture and its surroundings. The Windsbraut wasn’t inexpensive. Its creation cost around 118 000 euros. This sparked debate among local officials. They worried about the financial implications. The money ultimately came from the “Schöneres Frankfurt” budget. This budget is for improving city streets and squares. It’s funded by sponsorships.
Originally the sculpture’s cost was underestimated. The initial estimate was about 50 000 euros. This was far too low. The final cost was closer to 120 000 euros. Despite the initial controversy the Windsbraut is now a beloved landmark.
It stands proudly on Dalbergplatz. It serves as a gateway to Hoechst. It elevates the area and it’s certainly a breathtaking sight. The Windsbraut is more than a sculpture. It’s a conversation starter. It’s a symbol of Hoechst’s artistic spirit. It’s a marvel of engineering and a captivating work of art.