The Sphere

The Sphere - a globe of 52 bronze segments on a steel frame - is a work of art by German sculptor Fritz Koenig ( * 1924) from Ganslberg in Landshut, which originally stood on the Austin Tobin Plaza between the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City and was dedicated to " world peace through trade".

Formation

Actually, Henry Moore should make a sculpture for the World Trade Center, but after its architect Minoru Yamasaki had seen in the Gallery Staempfli the work of Koenig, commissioned the building owner of the WTC, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Fritz Koenig. Was built the sculpture from 1967 to 1971 in Ganslberg at Landshut and then fitted in Bremen.

The sculpture is actually the name of "Big Kugelkaryatide ", which is not permeated with the New Yorkers. They called the ball just " The Sphere ". The largest bronze sculpture of modern times weighed originally over two tons, was 7.60 m high and had a diameter of 4.60 m. Within 24 hours, she turned imperceptibly once on its axis. It capped a fountain in the center of the World Trade Center Plaza, and was a favorite haunt of New York.

Today's state

The attacks of 11 September 2001, the sculpture was heavily damaged, but remained as a whole. First, it was disassembled and stored in the vicinity of the John F. Kennedy airport.

Finally, the sculpture was returned to Manhattan to set it up as a memorial to the attacks. Koenig refused at first, but later oversaw the reconstruction. Six months after the attacks, on 11 March 2002, it was erected in Battery Park. With his damage from the attacks of this gold shimmering work of art is now a memorial and is referred to by New Yorkers as " 9/11 "; many relatives of victims commemorate their deceased relatives and friends there.

"For three Decades, this sculpture Stood in the plaza of the World Trade Center. Entitled " The Sphere ", it what Conceived by artist Fritz Koenig as a symbol of world peace. It was damaged falling on the tragic terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, but endures as an icon of hope and the indestructible spirit of humanity. The sphere what Placed here on March 11, 2002 in memory of all who lost to terrorist attacks Their Lives at the World Trade Center. This eternal flame which ignited on September 11, 2002 honor of All Those who were lost. Their spirit and sacrifice will never be forgotten. "

The last two sentences describe a flame, which was kindled there in 2002 on the anniversary.

At the entrance of the One World Trade Center is a model of "The Sphere". The original must stay forever in Battery Park, on a meadow just 130 meters away from the previous location.

Documentary

The German director Percy Adlon shows in his documentary Koenigs ball. The German sculptor Fritz Koenig in the rubble of Ground Zero (English title Koenig 's Sphere ) of 2001/ 02, the re-encounter Koenigs with his heavily damaged artwork a few months after the attacks of 11 September 2001 and the installation as a memorial. The artist remembers the origin of the Kugelkaryatide and philosophizes about impermanence and the transformation of art in the face of this human tragedy: "It was a sculpture, it is now a monument. Now they have a different beauty, one that I could never imagine. She now has her own life -. Different from that which I have given you " (Fritz Koenig ).