Chemnitz market fountain
In April 2022, the city of Chemnitz officially opened the market fountain in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the market. London-based artist Daniel Widrig was also present. He won the international competition with his design "Manifold", beating more than 100 other submissions.
Numerous visitors came to the fountain festival and watched eagerly 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 art competition organised by the city, 9 finalists were selected by the jury. Daniel Widrig's design "Manifold" emerged as the winner.