Brick Sculpture for Recklinghausen

Like most of his public sculptures, this work by Danish artist Per Kirkeby belongs at the intersection between architecture and sculpture. In order to categorize this type of work, the artist coined the term “architectonic,” which also alludes to his interest in the formative forces of nature.
The sculpture in Recklinghausen is reminiscent of the historic gates that were once part of the former city wall that existed in the same location. The structure creates a space that is comparable to a colonnade. The large brick arches also provide visitors with a view of the masonry memorial for fallen soldiers of World War I and World War II that is located behind it. In addition to the direct reference to its location, the sculpture’s layout depicts a part of a meandering pattern that has stood for infinity since ancient times.
Viewers can enter the sculpture and move through its alternating open and closed spaces. This is how the artist illustrates the interaction of the forces of nature as an additional layer in this work.

Further reading:
Public Art Ruhr. Die Metropole Ruhr und die Kunst im öffentlichen Raum. Eds. Walter Smerling and Ferdinand Ulrich on behalf of the RuhrKunstMuseen, Cologne 2012, ISBN 978-3-8632-134-0, pp. 86–87.