The Oriental Stone Tapestry
Photo: Körber-Stiftung
What does a carpet mean in the middle of city centre? Which values and cultural traditions does it represent? The Oriental Carpet made of Stone (“Steinerner Orientteppich”), a new work of art created by Frank Raendchen on the bridge Wilhelminenbrücke in Hamburg’s HafenCity in the summer of 2019, provides a reason to pause for a moment while walking past and reflect about the place.
The work of art, 27 metres long and made from 1.5 tons of marble granules, adopts well-known motifs and symbols from oriental carpets, thus transferring their meaning into the public domain: hospitality, openness and self-evidently living with art and historically evolved artistry are thereby conveyed to the highway.
The process of creating the Oriental Carpet made of Stone literally connects to the tradition of carpet-making that has taken place communally for thousands of years, and expresses meaning across cultural boundaries: Körber-Stiftung and Frank Raendchen invited the people of Hamburg to take part in its production process, and to lay the new carpet together with the artist and his team.
Implementation of the work of art was originally made possible in the context of the “Art and culture in the HafenCity” competition in 2005. After its restoration in 2011 and 2016, Frank Raendchen worked on an entirely new Oriental Carpet made of Stone in the summer of 2019. Körber-Stiftung has sponsored the project since 2005. The Carpet is situated directly in front of its headquarters at Kehrwieder 12.
360° tour
The carpet to view and listen to
Millions walk across The Oriental Carpet Made of Stone in the HafenCity, Hamburg’s heart. Frank Raendchen’s work of art can be experienced everywhere through the Virtual Tour! Whether it is on the spot on the Wilhelminenbrücke or at home – this 360° tour brings information about the Oriental Carpet Made of Stone to any terminal device. Read by Boy Gobert prizewinner Julian Greis, the dual-language audio guide invites you to spend time on the carpet and to listen to stories and create ideas.
Kontakt
