With the exhibition KölnSkulptur #5, the Skulpturenpark Köln is showing numerous outdoor sculptures by national and international artists. A total of 41 works can be seen on the spacious grounds between the zoo and the Rhine, 17 of which are new positions refering to the new exhibition. In addition to a representative look at positions of contemporary outdoor sculpture, KölnSkulptur #5 – Reality Check enables visitors to confront the reality of the 21st century and thus opens up not only new personal perspectives, but also exciting discussion bases that stimulate exchange.

Dr. Renate Goldmann
Curator of the exhibition KölnSkulptur #5

New positions in this exhibition:

Aaron Curry

*1972 in San Antonio/USA

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Aaron Curry: Purple Cloud, 2009
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Christina Doll

*1972 born in Cologne/Germany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Christina Doll: Vivi, 2007/2009
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Alexander Esters

*1977 in Bad Kreuznach/Germany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Alexander Esters: LÜG DU SAU!, 2009
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Katharina Fritsch

*February 14, 1956 in Essen/Germany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Katharina Fritsch: Gartenskulptur, 2006
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Bernd Kastner

*1957 in Dusseldorf/Germany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Bernd Kastner: Menschliche Kälte, 2009
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Norbert Kricke

*November 30, 1922 in Düsseldorf/Germany; †June 28, 1984 ibid.

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Norbert Kricke: Raumplastik Grosse F III, 1980
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Jonathan Meese

*January 23, 1970 in Tokyo/Japan

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Jonathan Meese: „Wir, Erzkinder lernen Macht (Süsses Dorf der Verdammtin) = Die Gören, 2007
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Isa Melsheimer

*September 19, 1968 in Neuss/Germany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Isa Melsheimer: Rödig, 2008
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Thomas Moecker

*1967 in Magdeburg/Germany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Thomas Moecker: Basement, 2007
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Thomas Rentmeister

*March 4, 1964 in Reken/Germany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Thomas Rentmeister: Depot, gestern, 2009
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Michael Sailstorfer

*January 12, 1979 in Velden/Germany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

Michael Sailstorfer: Hoher Besuch – Köln, 2009

Helicopter, paint, electric motorPhotographer: Tom May · Courtesy of König Galerie, Berlin / Seoul / Mexico-City · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

A helicopter has landed on the roof of the main building of the Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln. Where has the helicopter come from? What is its destination and who is aboard? Hoher Besuch – Köln (High-Ranking Visit – Cologne) is the title of the sculpture by Michael Sailstorfer, a French SE 3160 Alouette 111, with a white outerskin and painted black windows, whose engine has been replaced by a silent electric motor. For special occasions the helicopter’s rotor can be activated and rotates almost noiselessly, as if in a vacuum. The intentional absence of the usual mechanical noises is aimed at forging an atmosphere, which is both filmic and reminiscent of silent flashbacks or dreams. It alienates the observer by evoking an “elsewhere”, which paradoxically is clearly located in present. As with many of the works by Michael Sailstorfer, Hoher Besuch is in a state of indeterminacy. The sculpture exploits the elemental feeling of insecurity underpinning so many of life’s so-called significant events, and directs our focus at the flowing, permanent transition to which all things are irrevocably subject.

Michael Sailstorfer: Hoher Besuch – Köln, 2009

Helicopter, paint, electric motorPhotographer: Tom May · Courtesy of König Galerie, Berlin / Seoul / Mexico-City · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

A helicopter has landed on the roof of the main building of the Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln. Where has the helicopter come from? What is its destination and who is aboard? Hoher Besuch – Köln (High-Ranking Visit – Cologne) is the title of the sculpture by Michael Sailstorfer, a French SE 3160 Alouette 111, with a white outerskin and painted black windows, whose engine has been replaced by a silent electric motor. For special occasions the helicopter’s rotor can be activated and rotates almost noiselessly, as if in a vacuum. The intentional absence of the usual mechanical noises is aimed at forging an atmosphere, which is both filmic and reminiscent of silent flashbacks or dreams. It alienates the observer by evoking an “elsewhere”, which paradoxically is clearly located in present. As with many of the works by Michael Sailstorfer, Hoher Besuch is in a state of indeterminacy. The sculpture exploits the elemental feeling of insecurity underpinning so many of life’s so-called significant events, and directs our focus at the flowing, permanent transition to which all things are irrevocably subject.

Michael Sailstorfer: Hoher Besuch – Köln, 2009

Helicopter, paint, electric motorPhotographer: Tom May · Courtesy of König Galerie, Berlin / Seoul / Mexico-City · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

A helicopter has landed on the roof of the main building of the Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln. Where has the helicopter come from? What is its destination and who is aboard? Hoher Besuch – Köln (High-Ranking Visit – Cologne) is the title of the sculpture by Michael Sailstorfer, a French SE 3160 Alouette 111, with a white outerskin and painted black windows, whose engine has been replaced by a silent electric motor. For special occasions the helicopter’s rotor can be activated and rotates almost noiselessly, as if in a vacuum. The intentional absence of the usual mechanical noises is aimed at forging an atmosphere, which is both filmic and reminiscent of silent flashbacks or dreams. It alienates the observer by evoking an “elsewhere”, which paradoxically is clearly located in present. As with many of the works by Michael Sailstorfer, Hoher Besuch is in a state of indeterminacy. The sculpture exploits the elemental feeling of insecurity underpinning so many of life’s so-called significant events, and directs our focus at the flowing, permanent transition to which all things are irrevocably subject.

Jan Philip Scheibe

*1972 in Lemgo/Germany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Jan Philip Scheibe: abseite, 2009
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Dirk Skreber

*1961 in Lübeck/Germany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5, 6

Dirk Skreber: Reaktor, 2009
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Torsten Slama

*1967 in Schwarzach/Austria, †2023

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Torsten Slama: Herbert-Bayer-Zigarettenkiosk / Atomskulptur, 2009
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Alan Sonfist

*1946 in New York/USA

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Alan Sonfist: Disappearing Forest of Germany, 2009
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Thomas Stimm

*March 18, 1948 in Vienna/Austria

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Thomas Stimm: Löwenzahn, 2007
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

Ina Weber

*1964 in Diez/Germnany

Participants in KölnSkulptur 5 5

Ina Weber: Vogelbad, 2009
Aluminum, concrete, beer tables, and beer benches
Courtesy of Galerie Nagel Draxler, Cologne / Berlin / Munich · © VG Bild-Kunst, Bonn, 2024, Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln, 2024

KölnSkulptur 5
Reality Check
Stiftung Skulpturenpark Köln (ed.)
144 Pages
ISBN 978-3-86560-639-6
A DVD has been published to accompany the exhibition.