Olaf Nicolai

"Lesser"
Breitscheidplatz, Berlin
Olaf Nicolai
2018

The installation "Lesser" by Olaf Nicolai shows an exact reproduction of a historical Schinkel lantern from Berlin on a scale of 4:1. For the German artist, the development of the Berlin metropolitan area is inextricably linked to the introduction of artificial light, street lighting and neon advertising signs. The title reflects the surname of the artist Ury Lesser (1861-1931), who is famous in art history for portraying the city´s "new" lighting as a sensational sensory experience in his paintings of Berlin at night. While the sculputure is lit up like a "normal" gaslight in the evenings and at night, its large size simultaneously turns it into a kind of landmark that references multiple elements that are increasingly disappearing from Berlin´s neighborhoods.

Arnold realized this beautiful 16 meter high sculpture made of highly polished stainless steel. The planning and integration of the gas lighting system was tricky, the demands on the mirror polish of the metal were high and the installation on the forecourt of the Upper West high-rise building at Breitscheidplatz in Berlin was a real challenge.
We love such projects!