Figure Balancing on Dog

Keith Haring

Summary

For the Keith Haring Foundation, Arnold AG manufactured the 19.7 × 13.1 × 9.8 feet steel sculpture "Figure Balancing on Dog" for the legendary Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich. The work translates Haring's iconic visual language into three-dimensional form. Arnold AG handled construction, manufacturing, coating as well as delivery and installation.

Services

Construction, Manufacturing and Coating

Project manager

Frank Lohmann

Client

Keith Haring Foundation

Year

2011

The sculpture "Figure Balancing on Dog" during acceptance at our Steinbach-Hallenberg branch, Germany

Haring's legacy lives on

In collaboration with the Keith Haring Foundation, Arnold AG created the large-format sculpture “Figure Balancing on Dog”, transforming Keith Haring's iconic visual language into a monumental three-dimensional form. The sculpture was realized in 2011 for the renowned Dolder Grand Hotel in Zurich.
Keith Haring (1958–1990) ranks among the most influential artists of Pop Art and is known for his clear, graphic language and socially engaged art. The sculpture depicts a stylized “figure balancing on a dog” – a recurring motif in Haring's work that embodies protest, energy, and joie de vivre.
With dimensions of approximately 19.7 × 13.1 × 9.8 feet, the work is a powerful example of translating drawing into sculpture. The "barking dog" stands as a symbol of resistance, activism, and the questioning of societal norms.

Pop art for eternity

The technical implementation of the welded steel sculpture demanded high precision and craftsmanship. Arnold AG was responsible for digital contour processing, complex metalwork, careful surface treatment, and high-quality coating. Additionally, the team handled logistical coordination, delivery, and on-site installation in Zurich.

A dog conquers Zurich

The Dolder Grand Hotel, majestically perched above the rooftops of Zurich, has embodied Swiss luxury and hospitality at the highest level since 1899. The fairy-tale castle designed by Jacques Gros was spectacularly expanded by Lord Norman Foster in 2008, now combining historic charm with contemporary architecture. Prominent guests from Thomas Mann to Winston Churchill have already made history here.

We are grateful and proud to have been able to install a sculpture by one of the most influential artists of modern times in this enchanting location. “Figure Balancing on Dog” harmoniously integrates into the hotel's extraordinary art collection and enriches the already impressive atmosphere of this legendary establishment with an additional cultural dimension.

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