Tobias Michael, Lautern in the Erzgebirge
»From the narrowness to the wideness«

A larger-than-life human figure, impressively reduced to the essentials, pushes its way out of the narrow gap between two concrete blocks into freedom. On the one hand, the work at this location symbolizes liberation from the repressive system of the GDR, which prevented its citizens from exercising their basic democratic rights to fully develop their personality through concrete walls, barbed wire and mines and drastically restricted their freedom of movement; on the other hand, it also carries the universal message of the worthwhile, enormous effort to overcome ideological constriction and to take the path to the wideness of one's own accord.

Together with the mayors of the communities of Herleshausen and Ringgau, members of the Association for Regional Development in the Werra-Meißner district, the artistic directors of the ARS NATURA Foundation, sponsors and many citizens on both sides of the Hessian-Thuringian border, Lothar Quanz, Vice President of the Hessian State Parliament and initiator of "Art on the Border", unveiled this work of art on Saturday, November 9, 2013. On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall fell, and one year later Germany was reunited.

The place
Since the 19th century, a stone bridge over the Werra had connected the two villages of Herleshausen and Lauchröden until it was blown up in the last days of the war in 1945. Then came the Cold War and the division of Germany; the national border ran in the middle of the river. German citizens flocked to the Werra in buses to look at the houses of Lauchröden with binoculars. The people of Lauchröden were forbidden to approach the shore. Visitors from the West were not allowed to come to Lauchröden at all. Since it was located in the 500-meter-wide, fenced-in "protective strip" on the border, the residents needed passes to leave their village within the GDR or to return. A new pedestrian bridge, which reconnects the Hessian and Thuringian neighbors, has been in place since December 23, 1989.

Translated by Google •

Nordhesse

April 28, 2024

Art on the border
A larger-than-life human figure symbolizes liberation from the repressive system of the GDR through its posture and, on the other hand, shows the worthwhile effort to overcome ideological attitudes and take the path to the open.
More precisely, in a place that restricted the lives of the residents of Lauchröden during the Cold War. The residents were forbidden to approach the banks of the Werra, and visitors from the West were not allowed to come to Lauchröden.
The work of art and the Brandenburg castle ruins in the background make a worthwhile photo opportunity.

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 200 m

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Location: Herleshausen, Werra-Meißner-Kreis, Kassel District, Regierungsbezirk Kassel, Hesse, Germany

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