Bid Farewell: Life as Usual Departs from Neuwied
In the heart of Neuwied, Germany, a unique exhibition of life-sized figures has recently concluded, leaving behind a trail of delight and cultural appreciation among its visitors. The display, which featured human figures placed at various locations across the city, was a testament to the city's rich artistic history and its enduring influence on contemporary sculpture.
The life-sized figures, originally from Lechnerhof, made their way to Neuwied's city centre in late March, funded by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, and Construction's "Future-proof Cities and Centers" program. Their journey through the city, including stops at the Deichuferpromenade, the market square, and the pedestrian zone, was met with great enthusiasm.
The figures, which have been touring for several years, were well-received by city residents and attracted visitors from neighbouring cities such as Bonn, Essen, and Hamburg. The Neuwied Tourist Information offered special guided tours about the life-sized figures and their creators, which were very popular, with the last guided tour participant count being enough to fill two or three groups.
The exhibition proved particularly popular among children, with the figures in the Goethe gardens being a favourite spot for little explorers. The City Marketing team regularly inspected the figures for any damage during their daily rounds, ensuring that they remained in pristine condition for visitors to enjoy.
However, there were some instances of vandalism to individual figures, but they remained within the normal range compared to other cities. Nevertheless, the city's authorities and the organisers expressed their disappointment at such incidents and appealed for respect towards public art.
In addition to the guided tours, Neuwied City Marketing organised two prize draws, with a high response rate. A photography competition was held for the most beautiful and creative photos of the life-sized figures, and a photo rally required participants to correctly match seven detailed shots of different figures.
Nathalie Schneider, deputy head of Neuwied City Marketing, expressed great satisfaction with the exhibition's response. She said, "The life-sized figure exhibition has been a resounding success. It has not only showcased Neuwied's artistic heritage but also attracted a large number of visitors to our city."
As the Deichstadt festival preparations are currently underway, causing a delay in the evaluation of the prize draw submissions, the figures have now moved on from Neuwied, concluding their stay in the city.
The life-sized figure exhibition in Neuwied is linked to the historical and artistic context of the late 18th century, particularly through the publication of the "Monument of Physical and Moral Costumes of the End of the Eighteenth Century, or Pictures of Life" in 1789 in Neuwied. This work reflects an artistic tradition of portraying figures as lifelike and detailed representations, a lineage traced back to the Hellenistic sculptors and further developed in the French Grand Siècle with portrait-busts known for psychological depth and elegance.
The impact of this exhibition lies in its demonstration of how art can capture physical and moral dimensions of life in a compelling, theatrical manner. The sculptures' realism and narrative quality liken them to living actors, thus significantly influencing the artistic perception and appreciation of human representation in sculpture.
The exhibition appears to celebrate this tradition of lifelike and expressive figure art, underscoring Neuwied's role in the evolution of sculptural portraiture and its continuing influence on contemporary exhibitions. As the figures move on to their next destination, they leave behind a legacy of art, culture, and memories in Neuwied.
- The life-sized figures, which were brief residents in Neuwied's city center, were shaped by the Lechnerhof and sponsored by the Federal Ministry of Housing, Urban Development, and Construction's "Future-proof Cities and Centers" program, showcased a blend of outdoor-living and home-and-garden themes as they stood in various locations, including the Goethe gardens.
- In addition to a photography competition, the Neuwied Tourist Information, in collaboration with Neuwied City Marketing, hosted guided tours about the life-sized figures and their creators to further elaborate on the historical and artistic connection the figures had with the city, specifically the 18th-century tradition of lifelike and expressive figure art – a legacy that encapsulates the essence of Neuwied's lifestyle and is a profound influence on contemporary home-and-garden and outdoor-living exhibitions.
