Die Glocke / The Bell

Henrick Plenge Jacobson’s Die Glocke /The Bell has had an eventful history as the subject of numerous debates: it was the Danish artist’s contribution to the art project Tatort Paderborn, which was curated by Ingrid Raschke Stuwe in 2007 and explored the theme of “earthly and heavenly powers.” In 2013 it was part of a temporary exhibition in Roskilde/Denmark and in 2017 the city of Paderborn decided to purchase and install it in the cloister behind the Stadtmuseum. Depending on where the viewer looks, the bell is situated in line with the Ablinghofkirche or the Dom, that is, in the Christian-influenced city center. The large bronze bell stands on two pedestals made of natural stone; it is positioned so that the clapper can move freely and the inscription running around the edge of the bell can be read. It is a quote from Nietzsche, which reads in English as: “God is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers?” In the context of its religious surroundings, this inscription has been the cause of much controversy regarding the bell. In particular, the church perceived it as anti-Christian and atheistic. However, the city considered it a concrete means of illustrating a social question of identity. According to a statement: “A controversial substantive discussion about the various concepts of identity that are also presented in the Stadtmuseum is expressly encouraged.”

The fact that the bell has been the subject of such discussions since 2007 shows that art can activate new impulses and initiate discussions in public space, just as it has here on the topic of religious identity in a secularized world.

http://www.nw.de

https://www.nw.de