The market town of Murnau has gained a new cultural attraction with the installation of a monumental sculpture by local artist Willy Guglhör at the traffic roundabout on the town's entrance along Highway B 11, heading toward Kohlgrub. The impressive artwork required heavy machinery, including a flatbed truck and heavy-duty crane, to carefully lift and position the massive piece at its new prominent location.
The sculpture, titled "Die Schöpfung: Mensch, Tier und Pflanze" (The Creation: Human, Animal and Plant), was created in 1987 and stands as a testament to Guglhör's artistic vision. Carved from prestigious Carrara marble, the work measures three meters in height and weighs an impressive eleven tons. The substantial dimensions and weight of the piece necessitated the use of specialized heavy equipment to transport it from its original location to the traffic circle.
This remarkable artwork is on loan from the Willy Guglhör Foundation, which is administered in trust by the Kulturerbe Bayern Foundation (Cultural Heritage Bavaria Foundation). Originally, the sculpture was displayed in the artist's own sculpture garden in Murnau, which Guglhör had established during his lifetime. The relocation of this significant piece from the private garden to a public space represents a major step in making the artist's work more accessible to both residents and visitors.
The initiative to display one of Willy Guglhör's works publicly in a prominent location originated from the art advisory board within the Murnau market town council. This proposal received strong support from the town's cultural representatives, who recognized the value of showcasing local artistic heritage. The collaborative effort between various municipal departments and cultural organizations demonstrates the community's commitment to celebrating its artistic legacy.
Ursula Scriba, a graduate engineer from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and chairwoman of the board of the Kulturerbe Bayern Foundation, expressed deep gratitude for the municipality's involvement. "We are very thankful to the market municipality of Murnau for their commitment," Scriba explained. "This step represents tremendous support in making the work of Murnau artist Willy Guglhör visible in his hometown community."
Dr. Elisabeth Tworek, the deputy chairwoman of the association bearing the same name, emphasized the artistic significance of the installation. "The sculpture is an impressive work by Willy Guglhör; it fits perfectly as an artistic welcome greeting at the entrance to our community," she noted. As both a town councilwoman and cultural representative, Tworek was involved from the beginning with the planned presentation of Guglhör's artwork in public space.
The municipal administration of the market town of Murnau, which is also bearing the costs of the relocation, expressed great satisfaction with the new location. Officials noted their exceptional pleasure that this special sculpture is now even more prominently displayed in Murnau. They emphasized that Willy Guglhör belongs to Murnau just as much as Münter and Kandinsky do, describing the town as "a living art location where creative people from around the world draw inspiration and creativity."
An official ceremony is planned for autumn, when the sculpture at the town entrance will be formally handed over to the market municipality of Murnau. The ceremony will include a reception at the Künstlerhaus (Artist House), marking the completion of this significant cultural project and celebrating the permanent addition of Guglhör's work to the town's public art landscape.
