At the beginning of the 50s already the first works for public spaces, where completely different conditions are present than as in the case of galleries or museums, were created

Until now more than one hundred works of art have been created: monumental sculptures, big paintings, mosaics, metal sculptures and kinetic light pieces. There are complete interior designs in profane and religious settings.
Very often the design of open spaces and squares is accompanied by the elements of light and/or water.

Projects of great size and complexity are a creative challenge for the artist.
That is how the tallest sculpture in Europe, in Stuttgart for the headquarters of Daimler-Chrysler, with its 42 metres came into being for example; or the Jürgen-Ponto-Platz in Frankfurt and the chapel in the former Erzbischöflichen Collegium Marianum in Neuss.

Especial interest should be paid to his water and light as well as his natural stone ensembles which are centring points of busy squares and which have found great acceptance with the general public.

We have to thank some failed works from the project subsidized integration of architecture and art that the topic "Kunst am Bau" (Art on Site) is discussed critically or even rejected. In this book Heinz Mack takes a look at this controversial topic with theoretical reflections.

Art in public spaces can only be a success when the artist recognizes the urban development and architectural conditions which often contain restrictions, and accepts them as a challenge. The necessity of having to find compromises which arises from these restrictions, may not however compromise the standards of artistic quality.

Book recommendation:
Hirmer Verlag München, 2008
384 pages with around 250 large pictures
24.5 cm x 30 cm
German/English
ISBN-Nr. 978-3-7774-4065-1
Price € 65,00