Euro, 2001

The 14 meter high sculpture stands in front of the Eurotower of the European Central Bank on Willy-Brandt-Platz in Frankfurt am Main. The counterpart to this was installed at Frankfurt Airport.

The Euro Sculpture is a commissioned work. I tried to design this national emblem in such a way that anybody – regardless of their educational background – would recognize it: Aha, there is the European Central Bank, that is a symbol for the Euro, and the stars represent the various sovereign states that have signed up to the European Currency Union. I allowed myself one act of artistic freedom, namely grouping the stars around the Euro symbol without any organizational principle. The participating states are individual, and they presumably scarcely be regulated in such a way that they all follow the same course.[1]

Every city dreams of a landmark that creates a possibility for identification and has a distinct recognition value. Frankfurt has a tradition as a trade city in Europe and in the world going back many years; it has its place in the financial world. The Euro Sculpture creates a connection to this history and is above all a symbol of the vision of many people to create a new Europe by means of a new currency. The statue makes a global contribution to the popularity of Frankfurt. As a landmark it is understood by all people, be it nurses or university professors. ... Despite all of the issues, I still consider the currency union and the efforts for a combined and solidly united Europe to be one of the greatest achievements of the 21st century. Solidarity is something that must be worked for every day anew; one must also live it.[2]

[1] Ottmar Hörl, An Adress to Humanity, 2010, p. 202

[2] Ottmar Hörl, 1. April 2015, https://www.frakk.de/euro-skulptur/#aspekt

Access the website of the owner of the Euro Sculpture