In front of the Rathaus Altona at the ‘Platz der Republik’ is situated the sculpture ‘Black Form - Dedicated to the missing Jews’ (1987/1989) of the American artist Sol Lewitt (born in 1928, Harford, U.S.A.). The sculpture - donated by the artist to the city of Hamburg - is a rectangular volume made of bricks and painted black. The present physical condition of this minimal masterpiece is frighteningly bad. No one (i.e. the municipal responsible instances) is taking care of the sculpture. As it can be considered a responsibality and a matter of respect of a city towards the artist to maintain their patrimonium (in this case the black minimal sculpture), I (as curator) attempt to correct this situation by repainting the sculpture with the artist’s permission. The moment the sculpture will be ‘restaured’ will be publically announced in order to start a discussion on art in public space and urban responsibilities.

Further Information
Philippe Van Cauteren
Gaußstraße 152, Haus 3
22765 Hamburg
T/F: 0049 (0)40 39903369
E: vancauteren@t-online.de