I am not so much into sculptures. Most monuments and statues just don’t speak to me. Especially monuments often found in public spaces and high streets, depicting nothing but a weird form correlating to nothing around it, often look utterly misplaced to me. To not use stronger expressions. Historical monuments, depicting heroes or leaders from the past, I can tolerate for their educational function. But I want to make an exception for Käthe Kollwitz. Some of her work does speak to me. First and formost obviously the sculpture now called Pietà in Berlin. I believe, Mrs. Kollwitz originally called it “Son”. Although I think, the emotional impact of this piece of art is strongly influenced by its function and surroundig. Being the memorial for all victims of mankind’s big fall. To me, Neue Wache is the place that always takes me out of whatever I do or think when passing by, to pause. But other sculptures from Käthe Kollwitz have a similar effect on me. I can’t explain why, exactly. Maybe because she creates such clear forms of encapsuled humanity. Or else, because she really did extract tears from a stone…
Pietà, Neue Wache Berlin, Käthe Kollwitz, click=source
Selbstbildnis, Käthe Kollwitz, click=source
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