The town of Murnau has welcomed a striking new cultural landmark with the installation of a monumental sculpture by renowned local artist Willy Guglhör at the entrance roundabout on Federal Highway B 11, heading toward Kohlgrub. The impressive artwork, requiring a heavy-duty crane for placement, now serves as an artistic greeting to visitors entering the Bavarian community.
The sculpture, titled "Die Schöpfung: Mensch, Tier und Pflanze" (The Creation: Human, Animal and Plant), dates back to 1987 and represents a significant work in Guglhör's artistic legacy. Crafted from pristine Carrara marble, the piece stands three meters tall and weighs an impressive eleven tons. The artwork showcases the artist's mastery of stone carving and his philosophical exploration of the interconnectedness of life forms.
This remarkable piece comes to its new location through a loan arrangement with the Willy Guglhör Foundation, which operates under the trusteeship of the Cultural Heritage Bavaria Foundation. The sculpture previously resided in the artist's personal sculpture garden in Murnau, a space that Guglhör had carefully designed and established during his lifetime as a showcase for his works.
The relocation process required specialized equipment and careful planning due to the sculpture's massive size and weight. A heavy-duty transport truck and crane were employed to carefully lift the artwork from its original garden setting and position it precisely on the traffic roundabel. The delicate operation demonstrated the community's commitment to preserving and showcasing local artistic heritage.
The initiative to display one of Willy Guglhör's works prominently in public space originated from the Art Advisory Board within Murnau's municipal council. The proposal received enthusiastic support from the town's cultural representatives, reflecting the community's dedication to celebrating its artistic legacy and enhancing the cultural landscape for both residents and visitors.
Dipl. Ing. (TUM) Ursula Scriba, Chairwoman of the Board of the Cultural Heritage Bavaria Foundation, expressed gratitude for the collaboration, stating: "We are very grateful to the municipality of Murnau for their commitment. This step represents tremendous support in making the work of Murnau artist Willy Guglhör visible in his hometown community." Her remarks highlight the significance of local partnerships in preserving and promoting regional artistic heritage.
Dr. Elisabeth Tworek, deputy chairwoman of the associated organization and a key figure in the project's development, emphasized the sculpture's appropriateness for its new location. "The sculpture is an impressive work by Willy Guglhör; it fits excellently as an artistic welcome greeting at the entrance to our community," she explained. As both a city council member and cultural representative, Tworek was involved with the planned presentation of Guglhör's artwork in public space from the project's inception.
The municipal administration of Murnau, which has undertaken the financial responsibility for the relocation costs, expressed considerable satisfaction with the sculpture's new placement. Officials noted their excitement that this special sculpture is now even more prominently featured in Murnau, emphasizing that "Willy Guglhör belongs to Murnau just like Münter and Kandinsky – a vibrant art location where creative people from around the world draw inspiration and creativity."
The installation represents more than just the placement of a single artwork; it symbolizes Murnau's position as a significant cultural destination with deep artistic roots. The reference to Gabriele Münter and Wassily Kandinsky acknowledges the town's historical connection to the influential Blue Rider artistic movement, positioning Guglhör within this broader context of artistic achievement and cultural significance.
Plans are already underway for an official ceremony to mark the sculpture's permanent presence in the community. This fall, the sculpture at the town entrance will be formally presented to the municipality of Murnau through a special reception at the Artist House, providing an opportunity for the community to celebrate this new addition to their cultural landscape and honor the artistic legacy of Willy Guglhör.
