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This 1975 sculpture by Erich Hauser is an example of how fiercely disputed modern sculpture in public space could be at the time. Along with two other sculptures, the “Drei Volumina” by Ansgar Nierhoff and another work no longer on display, Erich Hauser’s sculpture was part of a municipal modernisation concept which also comprised the townhall, the townhall tunnel and the new pedestrian zone. The decision to purchase the works was deliberately taken in a public council meeting but still sparked unprecedented outrage in the population, even to the point of issuing privately initiated “ballots,” 90% of which were against the artworks. It is almost inconceivable today how such a massive “Lüdenscheid art controversy” could be ignited by abstract works. Erich Hauser’s work is a cracked flat cuboid consisting of triangular steel plates. Some of the tips of the triangles buckle upwards, others are bent towards the interior of the form. The sculpture’s geometrical formal language thus refers to Rathausplatz, where it was first installed. After it had to leave the latter because of construction works, the Kunstfreunde Lüdenscheid (KFL) association, founded in 2009, made it possible to re-install it in the Kulturhausgarten opposite the municipal gallery in 2013.

www.welt-der-form.net/Luedenscheid