Equestrian statue with diamond
Not stable enough: Merkel sculpture collapses after two years
After the first small cracks in the last few days, the total loss followed: the broken Merkel
© Wilhelm Koch / DPA
Less than two years ago, the artist Wilhelm Koch erected an equestrian statue of former Chancellor Angela Merkel. Now the sculpture from the 3D printer has fallen apart.
After almost two years, wind, weather and our own weight have taken their toll: the equestrian statue of the former Chancellor Angela Merkel in Etsdorf in the Upper Palatinate collapsed on Thursday night, as artist Wilhelm Koch reported. “Unfortunately, 3D concrete printing at the time was not very durable and unsuitable for outdoor use,” said Koch as the reasons for the unfortunate collapse of his sculpture.
Significant damage to the one and a half ton work of art had already occurred in the spring. The horse’s head was broken off and one of the CDU politician’s hands fell off. The equestrian statue was then put back together and renovated. According to Koch, it made a good visual impression again.
After the first cracks it was now a total loss
After the first small cracks in the last few days, it was now a total loss. “Apparently the equestrian statue could no longer withstand the internal pressure and load, despite all attempts to rescue it,” said the artist.
The statue was unveiled at the Tempel Museum Etsdorf in October 2021 – at that time Merkel was still head of government in Berlin. Exhibitions and other cultural events take place regularly in the museum in the district of the municipality of Freudenberg (Amberg-Sulzbach district). Merkel was depicted in the statue “in her typical pants suit, her hands shaped into the Merkel diamond,” as the artist put it.
A picture from better times of the Merkel statue, shortly after its unveiling
© Daniel Karmann / DPA
An ambivalent sculpture made of irony and appreciation
Koch created the monument “as an ambivalent sculpture”. “Is it appreciation or irony?” he asked the viewer. A public tribute on horseback is absurd. Koch has been known for his unusual projects for decades. For example, he created an air museum with sculptures made from inflated rubber tubes. According to him, it has not yet been decided what will happen to the remains of the Merkel statue.