Hugo Eckener-Shule

On November 25th, 2010 I attended a meeting at Hugo Eckener-Shule in Friedrichshafen concerning the atrium sculpture project where many students attended and expressed their initial ideas concerning the project.

Following the meeting I had a chance to talk with Berndt, Stefan and Johanna further and we discussed that the two main themes for the project are "Growing Together" and "Graduating / Transitions." One of the programs at the school is biological science and they are interested in an organic sculpture of some kind.
We agree the work should have an aesthetic counter point to the architecture, and perhaps offer a differing view from each level of the school.
The students want to have some way of commemorating each class. The tree will remain, and it will be decided after a survey and further inquiry whether the atrium will be open to the students on their breaks. They are interested in developing a meeting place in the courtyard in front of the building as there is currently no seating or area where the students can gather. We see this as a separate development from the atrium project. It was agreed I would present my work to the students in January and we would discuss further with them their ideas for the project. Then Johanna and I will work together to develop these ideas into a new plan for the sculpture project.

Here are the notes that Berndt sent out following the meeting.

Zeitung – Trommeln gehört ja zum Handwerk.

Als Ergebnis ist festzuhalten:

1. In der Diskussion ergab sich, dass nicht nur das Atrium selber, sondern auch
der überdachten Vorplatz des Gebäudes als Treff- und Kommunikationsorte infrage
kommen. So ist auch eine zweiteilige Lösung denkbar: Skulptur im Innenhof und
auch auf dem überdachten Vorplatz, allerdings differenziert nach ihren
Funktionen (Vorplatz z.B. mit der Möglichkeit von attraktiven Sitzplätzen).

1. Dr. Stefan Feucht wird bei der Bauabteilung anfragen, ob eine bauliche
Veränderung des Atriums grundsätzlich technisch möglich ist, d.h. also, ob ein
zweiter Zugang eingebaut werden kann, der wohl nötig ist, will man das Atrium
den Schülern öffnen.

1. Die Schule (Frau Wulz) wird eine Schüler-Umfrage vorbereiten. Damit soll auf
breiter Basis die Meinung der Schüler ermittelt werden, ob sie sich eine Öffnung
und Nutzung als Kommunikationsplatz wünschen. Alle Beteiligten sind sich einig,
dass nur eine Öffnung während der Pausenzeiten infrage kommt.

1. Frau Wulz wird ebenso in ihren Klassen das Thema Gestaltung des Atriums und
auch des Vorplatzes behandeln und Ideen der Schüler sammeln.

1. In das Projekt „Artists visits“ des Vereins BodenseeKulturraum e.V. soll
auch das Schulzentrum mit einbezogen werden – in einem ersten Gespräch am 9.
Juni 2010 war darüber schon mit dem US-Bildhauer Peter Lundberg diskutiert
worden (Gesprächsnotiz anbei).

1. Daher soll im Januar 2011 ein erster „workcamp“ mit der US-Bildhauerin
Felicia Glidden organisiert werden (sie wird bis zum 24.1.2011 am Bodensee
sein). Frau Wulz/Herr Schupp und Bernd Stieghorst werden den Termin
koordinieren.

1. Weiterhin soll der Kontakt zu Künstlern im Landkreis gefördert werden – so
sprach Johanna Knöpfle eine Einladung zum Besuch ihres Ateliers in Salem aus.
Frau Wulz und Bernd Stieghorst werden daher die Sammlung und den Austausch von
mailadressen organisieren.

1. Die Diskussion soll bald weitergeführt werden, ein Termin im Januar, wenn
Felicia Glidden in der Schule ist, ist wünschenswert.

and here is the Google Translation:


As a result, it should be noted:

1. The discussion showed that not only the atrium itself, but also the question came up about
the covered courtyard of the building as a meeting place and communication place.
It is also a two-part solution possible: sculpture in the courtyard and
also in the covered courtyard, but differentiated by their functions (eg square, with the possibility of attractive seating).

1. Dr. Stefan Feucht will ask the building department whether a building
change of the atrium is technically possible in principle. So, if a
second approach can be built, which is probably necessary, will be the Atrium
open to the students?

1. The school (Ms. Wulz) will prepare a student survey. This is intended to
determine the views of students to see whether they want the atrium opened
to use as a communication space. All parties agree that the atrium would only be opened during the break times.

1. Wulz classes will work on design of the atrium and also treat the forecourt and gather ideas of the students.

1. In the project "Artists visits" to the Association V bodensee culture room
also the training center to be included - as a first call on 9 June 2010 had already been a subject of discussion with the American sculptor Peter Lundberg (memo attached).

1. Therefore, would begin in January 2011 the first "work camp" with the U.S. sculptor Felicia Glidden organized (before 01.24.2011 on Lake Constance). Mrs. Wulz / Mr. Schupp and Bernd Stieghorst be the date Coordinators.

1. Furthermore the contact with artists in the county are encouraged - so
Johanna Knöpfle said an invitation to visit her studio in Salem. Mrs. Wulz and Bernd Stieghorst therefore will organize the collection and exchange of mail addresses.

1. The discussion will soon be further out, a date in January when Felicia Glidden in the school, is desirable.


The Newspaper Schwabische Zeitung article ( translated to English here): 26 November, 2010

Attention of the students participate in the Hugo Eckener-school in the discussion of a sculpture in the courtyard. In the foreground a plausible model of the sculptor Joan Knöpfle from Salem (Photo: Helmut Voith)

Very attentive and competent students to have representatives of the various schools participating in the discussion of the artistic design of the atrium in the new building of the Hugo-Eckener school involved. It is discussed a design by sculptor of German-American cultural exchange program "Salem2Salem is.

From our staff Helmut Voith Von unserem Mitarbeiter

Even if the current high school students do not have much of the last pending artistic design of the square courtyard to be them is the commitment to the community for future generations of students for granted. They are pleased that they can participate - should be included for the first time in the process of brainstorming with. Almost incidentally, they say that the students actually make up the body of a school, and have it not so wrong.

As for Cultural Office Director Dr. Stefan Feucht said that it is usual that is spent on public works of art for a certain percentage amount. He has the sculptors Johanna Knöpfle from Salem and brought Felicia Glidden from Washington DC and the curator Bernard Stieghorst from Churchill, who maintains, among other things, the project Salem2Salem, the conversation will take part the deputy head teacher Otto Schupp and Walter Bauer, and art teacher Gisela Wulz.

District of Lothar Wölfle came the suggestion that sculptor of "Salem2Salem" jointly design a sculpture for the school, which reports to the county. In August they had viewed the site, developed designs and discussed. Problem: The courtyard is surrounded by four glass walls, classrooms are situated around the courtyard, at borders two directly. So far it is taboo for students, because there is only one door. A survey will be clarified in the next few weeks whether the court should be open for the students. All present saw the problems associated with distraction and noise pollution. From the question of accessibility depends on what is possible for a work of art: should it be viewed only from outside, or should we celebrate it, can sit on it?

Active participation Aktive Mitarbeit

To identify opportunities, brought the Salem sculptor with a model, the various American drawings. The students want a hand, a space for communication with each other, on the other hand, a space of tranquility. Others would like a work of art in the glass cube, which would also be room for the usual Abi perpetuation. So far, a tree grows in the middle, he will continue to grow, the sculpture must also take into account. Using computer simulation we can do many things. Many things to consider - so the students were very happy to up the offer to connect with the artists directly in contact to be involved in the process. Another round of talks to follow in January.