We make art in public spaces, so we have to engage with the public, otherwise you're only engaging with the art world. Our idea has been rather to try to create at least one space that everyone can enter. Without much prior knowledge.Georg Zey
The Entwurf is a figure that "designs" itself. Standing on a hill and dynamically bent forward, this figure hurls disks at an imaginary target lying in front of her.
Similar to researchers who design their experiments according to a set hypothesis, the figure projects itself forward towards a goal, into an open future in which it could materialize itself anew or in another shape.
Terms such as goal and direction, vision and alignment are found in an absurdly humorous way in the artwork, which sets in motion a multitude of open interpretations at the location of the Siemens Campus.
The artists' collective "inges idee" creates sculptures for public spaces. Works by inges idee stand in front of schools and banks worldwide and on the coasts of several continents. The sculptures often bring a smile to the faces of people who stop to look at them. The works, which are mostly three-dimensional, always relate to the specific location and the people who live and work there.
An important function of art in public spaces is to create art for all. That is exactly what “inges idee”, in collaboration with the Siemens Arts Program, is attempting to do in Erlangen. The artists have come up with a work consisting of 112 colored cylinders, which is intended to connect with various styles of living and working, the new Siemens Campus and the local people.
The design, i.e. the figure, is designing itself. It is throwing parts of itself away. These parts give rise to something new, something that has not yet been put into words but is becoming a possible idea. That is the basic idea of a research campus and also the basis of all entrepreneurship – developing new ideas.says Hans Hemmert from the artists' collective “inges idee” of the work
The sculpture "The Entwurf" for the Siemens Campus in miniature format
Photo: Stefan Hoederath
The figure is throwing the individual parts anarchically and randomly into the Siemens Campus. Freedom of thought and also of creative activity is essential to our conceptual work.adds the artist Georg Zey
The central sculpture, which is over four meters high, is made up of 65 cylinders forming a human figure holding a frisbee. Distributed around the campus are 47 more colored aluminum disks which, figuratively speaking, are being thrown away by the sculpture. The 47 cylinders or frisbees can stand for ideas that are being thrown into the space. Some parts of the artwork are positioned around the grounds in such a way that they can be used as seats or tables, for relaxation, contemplation or lunch breaks. Art that is tangible and forms part of everyday life.
The site being developed in Erlangen will be Siemens’ largest site worldwide. It will bring together on one campus various Siemens divisions which were previously spread across different sites. The campus will form a new district, with restaurants, stores and apartments, which is open to the public. And even after office closing time, the idea is that the campus will become a vibrant part of the city.
Behind the scenes – assembly of the sculpture
There is a connection between art and science. They require creativity, obsession, persistence, passion and always the urge to try something new.Herlinde Koelbl
In times of climate change and corona, the world is becoming particularly aware of how important science is. Research is increasingly at the center of social events. Scientists must be able to see further than anyone else to influence our future. How do they think, what drives them?
With her project "Fascination of science", the worldwide respected photo artist Herlinde Koelbl has set herself the goal to photograph scientists and to show their motivation, influences and ways of thinking - through the eyes of an artist. Siemens Arts Program is pleased to support this unique photo art project and make it visible to a broad public.
The exhibition will be on display from October 5, 2020 until January 29, 2021 at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities in Berlin.
I wanted to find out how they think and with what insights they influence our lives and our future. I have traveled halfway around the world to know these top scientists better and to communicate their fascinating scientific results and life experiences and, yes, to bring science to life. I want to inspire young people to see role models in these impressive personalities and to take this exciting path themselves.Herlinde Koelbl about her work
In her project entitled “Fascination of science” Herlinde Koelbl portrays 60 of the world’s pioneering scientists and Nobel Prize winners and quite literally makes tangible their insights and the fascination of science.
As part of this process, she asked each of her subjects to note down the essence of their research on their own hand. For this, she immerses herself in their research and life in very personal interviews.
Herlinde Koelbl is looking for the individuals behind the discovery and what drives them – irrespective of origin or nationality: The interviewees not only closely sketch out their research, but also grant a glimpse into their private lives, looking back on their personal experiences, successes and setbacks on their way to the top.
Roland Busch, Deputy Chairman of the Executive Board of Siemens AG, states about the project:
"The “Fascination of science” project is an ode not only to science, but also to the power of art. Herlinde Koelbl once again succeeds in fascinating people with her photographic works. At the same time, she builds a bridge between art and science. As a physicist, I am fascinated by how Herlinde Koelbl makes tangible the interrelation between these two disciplines. With her 60 portraits of outstanding researchers she also shows a human side of science. Moreover, I am convinced that “Fascination of science” will also motivate many young people to become passionate about science and research."
Stephan Frucht, Director of the Siemens Arts Program, adds:
“The body of work documents in an impressive way that science and art are similar in nature and rightly enjoy special protection under the constitution.”
Images: Fascination of Science by Herlinde Koelbl
The freedom of the arts and sciences is one of the cornerstones of democratic societies. As an innovative company committed to progress and innovation, we consider it our natural duty to protect and nurture this freedom.Prof. Dr. Stephan Frucht, Senior Vice President Culture and Sponsoring
A lab of ideas for creativity and change
Arts and culture are a vital driving force for exploring identity, creativity and self-reflection. The Siemens Arts Program builds bridges between disciplines, enabling the company to discover new ways of thinking through new experiences. As a creative department within Siemens AG, we see our role as that of mediator between the worlds of art and business. In an open and impartial way, we engage with future challenges from an artistic and cultural perspective so that we can actively shape transformation and change in line with our corporate values.
The Siemens Arts Program does this by creating innovative projects with prominent individuals and institutions from the arts and culture scene. The aim is to encourage collaboration - both personal and thematic, involving creative actors, artistic excellence, and innovative institutions - with our company. The opportunity to participate in the creative process is a key criterion for project selection and management in the Siemens Arts Program. Our aim here is to unleash a powerful inspirational force. Our projects also have a broad relevance and serve as a model within the company.
In a nutshell
In 1987, Siemens AG launched the “Siemens Kulturprogramm” (Siemens Cultural Program) with the aim of developing a specific cultural program for the company. Starting from internal cultural activities, it developed into a well-known and versatile international program for the promotion of contemporary art and culture in the early 1990s. This company-owned cultural institution implemented initiatives on its own initiative in addition to traditional sponsoring. In 2015, the Siemens Arts Program was relaunched under the artistic direction of Prof. Dr. Stephan Frucht.
The Team
Prof. Dr. Stephan Frucht, Artistic Director Siemens Arts Program, Senior Vice President Culture and Sponsoring
Anke Bobel, Project Management
Andrea Clarén, Project Management
Katia Ernst, Trainee
Martina Heindler, Project Management
Julia Ripke, Working Student
Rebeca Williams, Organization & Projects
Press Contact: Konstanze Somborn, Yashar Azad
The Siemens Arts Program has a delivery role and does not consider applications for funding from third parties. Engagement with arts and culture is expressed through its own projects and interdisciplinary partnerships. Starting a corporate collection in the conventional sense is not a stated aim of the Siemens Arts Program.
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