Artist Alf Lechner Celebrates Centennial: A Lifetime of Versatile Motion and Creativity
In the Bavarian city of Ingolstadt, the birthday of Alf Lechner, the acclaimed sculptor responsible for the city's iconic steel structures, is celebrated annually on April 17th. This occasion serves as an apt time to delve into Lechner's artistic journey.
Two exhibitions in Ingolstadt and Obereichstätt offer an immersive exploration of Lechner's life and work until mid-2025. The Alf Lechner Museum in Ingolstadt features a retrospective display of Lechner’s artistic evolution, while in his final workplace, Obereichstätt, the exhibition "Alf Lechner: The Man, The Artist, The Life" at the Paper House in the Sculpture Garden provides a deeply personal inside look into the artist's life. Camilla Lechner, his widow, carefully curated the exhibition, showing various facets of her husband through never-before-seen photographs, drawings, and works.
These delicate drawings have shed new light on Lechner, giving insights into his eventful past. From his apprenticeship under Alf Bachmann from 1940 to 1950 on Lake Starnberg, to his years as a painter, graphic designer, and industrial designer from 1950 to 1960, the drawings reveal unexpected dimensions of the artist. One of his most innovative creations resulted from a visit to the dentist—he developed operating lights for dentists, which he patented and produced through his company, Litema.
The versatility of Lechner’s skills became evident when he embarked on the renovation of the former royal ironworks in Obereichstätt at the age of 70. Despite his advanced age and a debilitating illness, Lechner's energy and pioneering spirit shone through as he took on challenging projects to create a unique location for his monumental sculptures in the quarry.
Lechner moved to Obereichstätt with his wife in 2001, working on his projectsuntil his death in February 2017. The sculpture park, also known as an "open-air warehouse" for his towering works, offers various exhibition spaces, including the Glass House with installations, the Paper House for his models and drawings, and a vast exhibition hall for some of his influential pieces. The exhibition hall, opened in 2013, is renowned as Germany's largest privately-owned gallery, boasting a floor that can support up to 100 tons per square meter – comparable to the Tate Modern in London and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao in terms of scale and quality.
The sculpture park has gained popularity as a concert venue, offering a unique and breathtaking setting within the Jurassic limestone quarry. Visits to the park are only possible on guided tours for safety reasons.
Beyond the individual artwork, Alf Lechner’s legacy is marked by a commitment to monumental scale, innovation in form, and integrating art with public spaces. This commitment ensures his place as a significant figure in contemporary sculpture. (HaGa)
[1] Alf Lechner was a versatile artist renowned for his monumental sculptures and innovative designs. His work often combines creativity with architectural and spatial awareness, making a significant impact in the field of contemporary sculpture. His legacy is especially notable in Bavaria, Germany, where two key locations — The Paper House in Obereichstätt and The Alf Lechner Museum in Ingolstadt — serve as cultural landmarks and contribute to the artistic landscape of the region. These venues showcase the breadth and depth of his sculptures and designs, ensuring his place as a significant figure in modern sculpture.
- The exhibitions at The Alf Lechner Museum in Ingolstadt and The Paper House in Obereichstätt offer visitors an immersive exploration of Alf Lechner's innovative designs and monumental sculptures, showcasing his impact on contemporary art.
- Alf Lechner's legacy extends beyond his individual works, as he has made a significant contribution to the integration of art with public spaces, a commitment that has firmly secured his place as a key figure in modern sculpture, especially in the region of Bavaria.
