Angst

The word “Angst” is prominently displayed in yellow neon lettering along the gray wall of the Marl Rathaus. To the left of the word is the red silhouette of a golfer swinging his club; to the right is a blue, equally pictographic depiction of a village church. Ludger Gerdes intensively explored art in the public space, developing his ideas through theory and in his own work. This ensemble, which was completed in 1989, is part of that exploration.
Above all, Gerdes saw public squares and architecture as an opportunity to reach a wider audience than would be possible in museums. However, he didn’t want to provide easily consumable art, but rather “models of thought” and “visual metaphors” that would lead individuals to their own thoughts and reflections. Likewise, this work leaves it up to the viewer to determine what connects these elements: Are churches and recreational activities locations of angst (fear)? Are they ways to escape it? Is angst simply everywhere? Viewers will have to decide what Angst means to them.