2. Ansgar Nierhoff

2. Ansgar Nierhoff, From a Block & Two-Piece Standing Sculpture (1988) / The Couple (2016)

On the Kunstwiese (art meadow) opposite Hall 6, three works by sculptor Ansgar Nierhoff enter into a dialogue with the architecture and the outdoor area of the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein: A two-part standing sculpture, a block sculpture and the sculpture "The Couple", which was added in the spring of 2016. The floor sculpture "From a Block", which is just under half a metre high, and the 3.4 metre high two-piece standing sculpture were created independently of each other. By placing them together on the so called Kunstwiese the works, both made of steel, were given a new context. They correspond with the visual axes of the colliery that were a key design element for the industrial architects Fritz Schupp and Martin Kremmer.

The sculpture "The Couple" stands somewhat apart from the other works. The two four- metre-high, elongated steles are hand-forged, each from a different block. The contrast between the round and the angular steles points out an important element in Nierhoff's work: Through forging, he transforms uniform blocks into different shapes. The round shape is created by compressing the material during forging, without removing any of the material.

Together, the three works on the Kunstwiese bear witness to the force necessary for working steel. By showing cuts and hammer marks on their surface, they give an impression of the working process of sculpting.