Here stand two herons frozen in bronze. This is the Zwei Reiher Sculpture. It is a creation of Karl August Ohrt. Let’s explore the story behind this artwork.
The Zwei Reiher Sculpture dates back to 1965. The sculpture is located in Hamburg-Billstedt. You can find it north of the residential building at Dannerallee 16.
Karl August Ohrt was a German sculptor. He lived from 1902 to 1993. The Zwei Reiher depicts two herons in an abstract style. One bird has its head raised. The other has its neck bent.
The height of the Zwei Reiher Sculpture is 195 cm. The SAGA acquired the work in 1965. This was part of the “Kunst am Bau” program. SAGA was the building owner of the residential area. In 2008, the sculpture was still owned by SAGA.
The location of the Zwei Reiher Sculpture is interesting. The Wilhelmsburg-Reiherstieg area is in the port of Hamburg. This area is constantly changing. It adapts to new demands. The site is surrounded by diverse neighborhoods. This diversity offers unique opportunities. It integrates people and functions. These might struggle to find a place elsewhere.
The design envisions turning Reiherstiegviertel into a workshop hub. These workshops may have lost their original locations. This loss could be due to harbor restructuring. A houseboat factory could be the settlement’s center. It would create a swimming city on the adjacent canal.
The factory integrates into a public park. Live and work quarters surround it. Large industrial buildings like silos transform. They house other uses while remaining landmarks.
The Zwei Reiher Sculpture stands as a testament to art. It also reflects urban development. It connects nature and industry. It embodies Hamburg’s spirit. The sculpture invites us to reflect. Consider the relationship between art and its surroundings. It shows how art enriches our living spaces.