Open spaces for the three-dimensional
Two decades ago, Ewald Karl Schrade, the curator of art KARLSRUHE, invented the sculpture spaces and generously planned them in between the exhibitors' stands, so that free spaces and at the same time sculptural surprises keep appearing as you walk through the landscape of booths.
Of course, it is easier for exhibitors to come to the fair with pictures, i.e. so-called ‘flat ware’. Sculptures often weigh several tonnes and encompass large volumes of space, so they demand much greater effort. But I am very pleased that we can annually display what is developing in the world of three-dimensional art. These unmistakable Sculpture Areas also create special accents in the fair’s four halls, where they beautifully manifest my idea of enlivening the architecture with a stimulating park-like landscape. We receive much praise for the Sculpture Areas, so we want to remain loyal to sculpture in Karlsruhe.
The Karlsruhe Vollack Group - experts in methodical planning, construction and the revitalization of sustainable, energy-efficient buildings - with several locations nationwide enables the sculpture garden as a sponsor and thus gives its own commitment in the field of art + culture even more appeal. Thus, the three-dimensional comes into focus again at art KARLSRUHE and complements the program shown.
The year’s best Sculpture Area was awarded art KARLSRUHE’s Loth Sculpture Area Prize of the L-Bank, which is endowed with 20,000 euros.
"I was extremely happy that L-Bank, the state bank for Baden-Württemberg, made it possible a few years ago to award the Loth Sculpture Prize worth 20,000 euros," says Ewald Karl Schrade. The curator of art KARLSRUHE, for whom the three-dimensional in art has always been a matter close to his heart, is particularly pleased for the sculptors and their galleries exhibiting at the fair. Because thanks to this award, since 2018 the achievement of transporting works that often weigh tons to Karlsruhe and showing them in the exhibition halls has been recognised.
On Friday 5 May 2023, 5 p.m., Hall 4/dm-arena, the next Loth Award Ceremony will take place. It commemorates one of the most important German sculptors, Wilhelm Loth, born in 1920, died in 1993. The sculptor, a passionate admirer of the feminine, a lifelong pursuer of beauty, taught at the Karlsruhe Art Academy from 1958 onwards, for around three decades, and inspired many artists of the following generation thanks to his figurative sculptures.
