Alf Lechner, Constellation D4

Although it weighs tons, Alf Lechner’s sculpture “Konstellation D4” rests inconspicuously on the lawn. The sculpture is positioned at an angle of 45 degrees to the rectangular ground plan of the colliery buildings. It interrupts the two axes along which the facilities are aligned and thus almost automatically directs the viewer’s attention towards the twin pithead frame.

The 16-ton artwork focuses on the material steel and its physical properties. Despite the sculpture’s bulky shape and immovable appearance, the curved underside makes it appear as if it could seesaw. Lechner has found a fascinating way to play with the properties of his preferred material.