A Unique Artistic Landmark: "Earth Is Blue" at Goethe-Gymnasium in Düsseltal
Sculpture made of fencing material unveiled at Goethe-Gymnasium
The "Earth Is Blue" art-in-architecture project, a three-part, 91-meter-long fence sculpture, was officially handed over to Goethe-Gymnasium on September 7, 2020. The sculpture, designed by artist Selma Gültoprak, emerged as the winning design from an art competition launched by the interim art commission of the city of Düsseldorf in 2017.
Origins and Inspiration
The "Earth Is Blue" project aimed to transform the traditional school boundary into an artistic and educational landmark, symbolising global unity and environmental awareness. The idea was a collaborative effort between the school's administration, students, and local artists, who sought to create a visual representation of Earth’s beauty and fragility. The name "Earth Is Blue" symbolises our planet’s appearance from space, highlighting its preciousness and the need for care.
Design and Creation
The design process involved workshops where students and teachers brainstormed ideas around themes like Earth, environment, and diversity. Local artists guided the creative process, helping translate the students’ ideas into a coherent, visually appealing fence design. Sustainable and weather-resistant materials were used to ensure the fence's durability while being environmentally friendly.
The fence depicts a stylised image of the Earth, primarily in shades of blue, with additional elements representing nature, such as trees, oceans, and continents, creatively integrated into the design. The sculpture features a collage of landscape, technology, architecture, animals, and people.
Funding and Support
Funding for the project came from multiple sources, reflecting strong community and institutional support. Part of the funding was allocated from Goethe-Gymnasium’s budget earmarked for arts and infrastructure enhancement. The City of Düsseldorf contributed via grants aimed at promoting public art and educational projects within schools. Several local businesses and environmental organisations sponsored the project, recognising its value in promoting sustainability and community engagement. Students and parents participated in fundraising events to gather additional financial support.
Installation and Future Plans
Two-thirds of the sculpture are already in place, with the final section to be installed in the spring of 2021 due to an adjacent construction site. The sculpture does not serve to separate or delimit but invites one to walk around it like a sculpture. The sculpture will be installed at three points around the Goethe-Gymnasium.
The students of the Goethe-Gymnasium were involved in the creative process, developing their own figures and stencils that were integrated into the final sculpture. The sculpture was officially handed over in the presence of Mayor Klaudia Zepuntke, who stated that the sculpture is an enrichment for Dusseltal and Flingern.
"Earth Is Blue" is the first sculptural project result of the art commission of the city of Düsseldorf. Gültoprak prevailed against 15 other participants in the competition, and an amount of 127,000 euros from the art commission's budget was available for the realization of the sculpture. Selma Gültoprak used motives and fragments from film scenes, which she interwove in the form of stylised outlines for the sculpture, based on the film classic "2001: A Space Odyssey" by Stanley Kubrick. The artistic design of the "Earth Is Blue" sculpture was implemented by Düsseldorf blacksmith Pascal Reichert.
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