Stephan Balkenhol | Man with stag

The sculpture by Stephan Balkenhol (born in 1957 in Fritzlar) was selected by a jury following a restricted competition. It was commissioned and funded by KarstadtQuelle AG to mark its anniversary and the construction of its new building at the site. The surreal combination of people—who mostly appear uninvolved—with animals is deliberately intended not to tell any stories in Balkenhol’s work—thus keeping the piece mysterious. Unlike many other depictions of humans and animals, this one appears non-hierarchical; there is no control. The situation appears relaxed: more of a snapshot than a pose. Thus, the sculpture can also be interpreted as an alternative equestrian statue, in direct contrast to the representativeness of historical models such as Albert Wolff’s “Ernst August Monument,” which was erected in front of the main train station in 1861. » Location: Andreaeplatz/Schillerstraße