Artwork technically rebuilt

The artwork "you are free" in front of the NW III building at the University of Bayreuth was no longer fully functional. Central Technology therefore used its own funds and worked with the artist to technically maintain and repair the artwork.

"We also incorporated some improvements to make the artwork more resistant to the effects of the weather," says Gerald Weber, Head of Central Technology. "Our team cleaned the mirror, completely renewed the electrical wiring and applied additional seals."

The tip-off about the necessary repairs came from the artist himself: Robert Kessler had handed over the artwork in 2018. According to the law, the owner of a work of art in a public space must guarantee its maintenance. "Unfortunately, that's not always the case," says Kessler. "In some cities, I have experienced that my request for maintenance was ignored. Not so in Bayreuth! Here it was handled in an exemplary manner."

Kessler contacted Stephanie Kreisel from the State Building Authority, who conveyed the artist's request to the university. "A big compliment to the Central Technology Department and the State Building Authority. It doesn't get any better than this," says Kessler. "My works are created in motion and if this doesn't work, the artwork no longer fulfils its purpose."

"We were happy to take up the suggestion and implement it," says Weber. "The works of art in front of and inside our buildings characterise the image of the university. It is therefore important to us that they are preserved as well as possible. By reworking and technically repairing the functional parts, we were able to make the artwork more resistant, which will certainly have a positive effect on its longevity."