Würfel / Cube

Closer examination is required to grasp the artistic concept behind this sculpture. From a distance, the cube seems to be standing on its bottom corner and almost floating above the grass at the same time. For this reason it is sometimes called the “floating cube.” However, since this is impossible according to the laws of physics, Neuhaus cut out a 32-centimeter cubic recess at the top and bottom of the sculpture.

The two “negative cubes” give the work its idiosyncratic appearance. This also makes it theoretically possible for the cube to stand on the three points formed by the lower recess; in reality, of course, it is screwed into a base plate. As such, this cutout makes the Cube‘s state of unstable equilibrium apparent.

Along with other stereometric objects, the cube is a preferred form in Josef Neuhaus’s abstract sculptural work. The cube appears anonymous and inorganic, and contains no underlying meanings for the artist or viewer to interpret. In this way, the cube is ideally suited as the object of mathematical-physical calculation with which the artist expresses his conception of beauty and harmony.

Source: Skulpturen in Neuss  – Author: Dr. Christian Frommert