Trombe, Essen
In the case of the 7 m high spatial body, which consists of 14 concentrically cut from a 3 m diameter aluminum disc, the volume is formed by three wire ropes. The slant of the space cone, suggesting a spiral, puts the circular space under tension.
Trombe
The rotunda of the Parkoffice Ruhr-Allee entrance hall in Essen forms a diagonal and radial disk crossed by visitors on their way. The shortest way through leads past the column on the main axis. The sculpture, which is derived from the central axis of the <communication hub> and describes the various movements in the hall, was awarded first prize in the Köllmann Modern Art Competition in 1993. The Trombe, a whirlwind with a vertical axis, rises up in front of the observer as a funnel-shaped wind, water or sand trouser.
The 7 m high sculpture Trombe – a 14-part spatial body cut concentrically from a 3 m diameter surface – was installed in 1994/95. The volume is formed by three wire ropes that penetrate the aluminum rings at a 120 degree angle. A directional cable leads to the main axis on the floor in a dynamic swing. This point lies on the outer circular line of the highly polished floor panels. The slant of the space cone, suggesting a spiral, puts the circular space under tension. The Trombe opens up the glass hall in dialog with the architectural central axis towards the gallery and creates the impression of lightness, movement and reflection. The result is a place of encounter. The sky of light on the hall ceiling is reflected and spatially experienced by the inclined <Trombe rings> and the corresponding shiny granite circle on the floor.
