At the end of May 2017 a competition proposal entitled “Bibelrunde” (Bible Group) was submitted for the artistic design of Lutherplatz in Langen near Frankfurt. Whereas the invitation to tender for the competition merely called for an object that takes account of Martin Luther as a person and the public square named after him, with Bibelrunde a complete design of the square by means of several objects is intended. The design concept was complemented by a communication concept with an outline of a lecture for the public.
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in Langen
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in Langen
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the elementary form
of a book
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of the opening book
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of the opening book
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of the individual
object
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the different objects
around Lutherplatz
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a principle
with theological
implications
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by colour
in several stages
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by colour
in several stages
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by colour
in several stages
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on the colour
progression
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of the individual
object
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through the rods
as a participatory
act
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representation
of the individual
object
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representation
of the individual
object
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representation
of the individual
object
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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for positioning
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The art concept Bibelrunde is intended to devote attention to Lutherplatz in Langen, to draw on its potential for significance and to reinforce the identification of the people of Langen with their Lutherplatz. It relates to the public square by making it a meeting place for a group, its core function. It relates to Luther as a person by placing one of his most important achievements, the Luther Bible, in this urban centre.
Firstly, the context of the square:
This place is a crossing of paths within the town and thus an important place for people in Langen. It has a strong identity due to its function as a traffic hub but not due to its appearance, as its buildings are extremely heterogeneous. An intention with Bibelrunde is therefore to strengthen the visible consistency of the square, i.e. to make the square, which is in fact only a hub, into a true public square. It is occupied by a group. It becomes a place of symbolic encounter, a place that bears a community by harbouring the Bibelrunde. It also gains a meaningful form in that several similar objects bind it together visually. Lutherplatz will thus acquire a face.
Next, the context of Martin Luther:
The art concept is guided on the one hand by the theological significance of Luther. The dramatic narrative of the colour creates a spiritual mood. Emphasis of the verticals in their simplicity implements a direct link to the divine sphere – without detours and obstacles through handed-down rituals and hierarchies. The vertical also expresses uprightness, the freedom of the conscience and ultimately “Here I stand, I can do no other”. So much for the theological aspect, which is considered because the concept is to do justice to Luther as a whole.
The social significance of Luther, however, appears far more important for the artistic task, as the message of the art on Lutherplatz is addressed not only to Protestant Christians but to the whole population. For this reason the reminder is given that Luther was a reformer for everybody. He campaigned to give access to education for all, not only for the clergy. Through his translation of the Bible, he made holy scripture readable for the whole community. Today we are still heirs of his work as an originator of language, as many of our common verbal metaphors derive from Luther. The art concept therefore chooses the motif of the Bible, the standing book – open and transparent – accessible from all sides. The opening, standing Bibles are not only symbols of the Bible itself but also stand for a community that is directed to a central place. Here the concept of the Bibelrunde achieves equivalence with the central square. Symbolism and reality become a unity.
The Bibelrunde art concept is dedicated to a place: Lutherplatz in Langen; and equally to a person: the reformer Martin Luther. Moreover, it is dedicated to the people who experience this place. Some squares in the world, whose names are known to all, are principally visited by tourists. Lutherplatz in Langen, by contrast, is frequented by the citizens of the town. The square is familiar to them. People are either at home here, or do not come here at all. The condition of familiarity with the square is to be given a visual anchor. An image is to be created that attaches itself to the name Lutherplatz. The Bibelrunde as an ensemble generates an image of this kind: clear, recognisable, meaningful, comprehensible. It is designed for the people who seek to be at leisure on the square and equally for all those who hurry past. In this respect Bibelrunde offers an opportunity for contemplation in greater depth and at the same time a signal for the perception of a moment.
The first noticeable characteristic is the colour. The intense colour scale of the rods has a dematerialising and spiritualising effect. The rods are more idea than thing, more direction than stake. The objects invite children to use them as a parcours for their games. They also stimulate adults to walk through the upright Bible and to experience its transparency with meaning. The objects are not just made for the eye, but also to be touched. Those who pass through the object, brush against the bars. Bibelrunde is art to be used.