Chemnitz market fountain in operation
On Thursday, 14 April 2022, the market fountain was ceremoniously put into operation amidst the hustle and bustle of the market.
In addition to Mayor Michael Stötzer and the Managing Director of the European Capital of Culture 2025 GmbH Stefan Schmidtke, the artist Daniel Widrig was also present to explain his intention for the "Manifold" fountain design to the visitors.
Numerous visitors came to the fountain festival and watched intently as the water gushed out of the first fountain element. Various musical and artistic performances rounded off the afternoon. These included the contact juggler Kelvin Kalvus from Dresden, the band Stilbruch from Leipzig and the dream magic show Elfe Sorgenfrei and Troll Trolly.
The work of art
The fountain parts are the work of Daniel Widrig. The London-based artist won the international competition in 2019 with his design "Manifold". Daniel Widrig's design beat 113 other submissions in the competition.
Despite their abstract form, the four circular elements of his fountain design are figurative in their symmetry. Is it a group of people or machine parts? The forms are in dialogue with each other and with the inhabitants of the city. Visitors find themselves, other people and the architecture of the square reflected in the surface of the water.
The fountain is therefore more than just a water dispenser or a sculpture. As an installation, it questions our perception of the urban space, our surroundings and ourselves. A design that draws a connection to socio-political issues as a symbol of diversity, openness, dialogue and tolerance in Chemnitz. The market fountain is intended to be a public place where people like to meet and exchange ideas.
Looking back: The realisation competition
From the 114 designs submitted to the open international artistic competition organised by the city, 9 finalists were selected by the jury. Daniel Widrig's design "Manifold" emerged as the winner. more
