Leni Hoffmann
:
Mischla
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With its new building complex, the construction of which began in 2011 and which was completed this year, the Landesberufsschule für Tourismus (Lower Austria School of Tourism) in Waldegg is now a leading Austrian educational facility. Public Art Lower Austria held a limited competition for the school’s main courtyard and the student’s lounge, which was won by the artist Leni Hoffmann. Her multi-part artwork 'mischla' not only merges with the architecture, it creates its own playful sculptural situation that beholders can interact with and which constantly offers new perspectives on the interaction between architecture and artwork.
"mischla is done in the tradition of a panel picture, but defines itself in real space."
"Four elements characterize mischla. All of them share the basic form of the circle but have been altered into playful variations – like when playing with a rubber band. One of these possibilities is chosen and then explored. There are thus three cast-in-place concrete elements in the courtyard. Two of these forms are similar and seem to cut into the wall or grow out of it in different ways. Their forms are tapered, and all edges of the concrete sculptures that you can sit or climb on have an organic shape. These heavy elements are directly connected to the load-bearing construction with iron braces in and behind the concrete wall, and yet they seem to float. 'mischla' also visualizes the changing angle of the sunlight throughout the day, and the sculptural ensemble casts a constantly changing shadow on the wall and the gravel surface of the courtyard. This dynamic is also directly absorbed by the wall through a similar form in bright yellow paint made with granular wall plaster. The surface texture and the color contrast with the wall and the protruding elements, while emphasizing them at the same time. 'mischla' also interacts with the other heterogenic plaster facades surrounding it . The third cast-in-place concrete form is on the ground of the courtyard and can be walked on. [...] It looks like a shadow of the other elements seen from above. Embedded in the rough, colorful gravel, it highlights the thickness of the gym ceiling and the space beneath it. [...] Sixteen small stoneware forms with colored glazes in orange, blue, white, yellow, and turquois interact with the large concrete forms. They are spread out over the entire courtyard in an enchanting play of scales."
"mischla highlights the school as a place where potential is developed and lets each student experience their own presence as decisive for the pictorial solution."
(Excerpts from the project text by leni hoffmann)
Images (17)
