Two playful marten greet us from the facade of Halenreie 4. This charming sculpture, “Zwei Marder,” adds a touch of whimsy to the building. It’s a subtle detail, yet it brings a friendly accent to the architecture. The Zwei Marder sculpture blends seamlessly with the building’s color, enhancing its overall aesthetic. Created by Richard Emil Kuöhl, the Zwei Marder sculpture depicts two marten climbing the facade just above the base of the building. One marten is perched on a ledge, while the other is positioned slightly below. Kuöhl, born in 1880, had a remarkable artistic journey. He began as a ceramic artist and later studied sculpture. He eventually collaborated with the architect Fritz Schumacher, known for his brick buildings in Hamburg. Kuöhl’s sculptures often adorned Schumacher’s architectural creations. He worked with various materials, including stone, ceramic, and terracotta. His work can be found on buildings across Northern Germany and in art installations in the Ohlsdorfer Friedhof cemetery. Kuöhl was an active member of the Hamburg art scene. He was a member of the Hamburger Kunstverein and the Hamburger Sezession. The Hamburger Sezession’s annual exhibition was forcibly closed by the Nazis in 1933. Even after the Nazi takeover, Kuöhl continued to receive commissions from state institutions. One notable example is the Kriegerdenkmal war memorial in Hamburg. Later, in the 1980s, a counter-memorial by Alfred Hrdlicka was placed opposite Kuöhl’s Kriegerdenkmal. The Zwei Marder sculpture, nestled in its Volksdorf niche, represents a small but significant part of Kuöhl’s legacy in Hamburg. It’s a testament to his artistry and his contribution to the city’s artistic landscape. So next time you pass by Halenreie 4, take a moment to appreciate these two climbing marten. They represent a charming blend of art and architecture. They tell a story of an artist’s dedication and a city’s rich cultural heritage.
Allerheiligen Kirche
Hidden within Hamburg’s Neugraben-Fischbek district lies the Allerheiligen Kirche. It serves as a spiritual home for Ukrainian immigrants. The Allerheiligen