Georg Seibert

Der Käfer – ein deutsches Wunder

2004

Werk - Der Käfer – ein deutsches Wunder
Artist / Artist group
Georg Seibert
Title
Der Käfer – ein deutsches Wunder
Year
2004
Category
sculpture
Material / Technique
original VW Beetle, Steel ST37, welded construction, galvanized,
Dimensions / Duration
400 x 210 x 500 cm
Collection
ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe
Description

The VW Beetle is the symbol of the so-called "German economic miracle" of the post-war period and was the best-selling car in the world until the beginning of the 21st century. To this day, the VW Beetle enjoys cult status, and not only among car enthusiasts. For Georg Seibert, this Volkswagen is the epitome of "hope for more life and freedom, culture, success and much more". He takes the Beetle out of its functional street space and wraps it in an "art house" typical of Seibert, a three-dimensional grid made of galvanized structural steel. This transparent "second skin" is both shelter and pedestal for the sky-blue VW Beetle seemingly floating inside. As Seibert puts it, the sculpture is intended to "act as a positive motivation for the public. It is intended to demonstrate that a simple idea, such as the one on which the invention of this car model was based, can lead to success and positively influence the lives of entire generations "if you believe in it and live it".

Author: Katrin Heitlinger

About the artist/s