Luitpold-school, Hettenleidelheim

My design concept for the tender Art in the building of the all-day school in Hettenleidelheim provides for a multi-layered, experienceable labyrinth of paths: At five neuralgic points inside and outside the school building and by means of further fragments, legends and stories from the geographical surroundings of Leiningen are transformed into pictures using mosaic techniques. Five mosaic pictures are embedded in the labyrinth legend of Theseus, who finds his way through the labyrinth of the Minotaur with the help of a red thread. The labyrinth picks up the situation on site with numerous corridors, extensions and paths.

The labyrinth is a riddle, a sacred sign, an ancient symbol. It fascinates and delights, arouses fears and curiosity, it seems chaotic but is simple. Once you reach the centre, you have to turn around and go back the same way. It is a symbol for the path of life itself - corresponding to the path through our school system starting with the entry into primary school.

At the same time, the spiral form of the labyrinth symbolically shows a connection between the past, the present and the future. The five stations address old traditional legends and myths. They refer to our region and landscape, mark important historical events and tell of our cultural heritage that has shaped our existence today.

The following stories are illustrated:

• The Countess Eva von Neuleiningen
• White Peter von Wachenheim
• Siegfried the dragon slayer
• The Knight of Huneberg
• Theseus in the labyrinth of the Minotaur

In the implementation of the design concept, in addition to the various mosaic materials such as smalt, porcelain stoneware, ceramics, glass and gold, matching found objects and noctilucent glass were also used. Part of the work was prepared in the Altleiningen art workshop and prepared for assembly and completion on site, so that the work on site was reduced to the bare essentials.

"My goal is to bring a piece of awareness of our roots and our past into a tangible, experienceable, joyful everyday school life - art that offers points of contact for local history, German lessons, art and religion - a concept that appeals to and connects all parts of the building - like old and new, like the past and the present, like the beginning of the labyrinth and the end of the red thread.