As of: February 13, 2024, 11:00 a.m
By: Christiane Mühlbauer
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In 2001, the Tölz painter Inge Friedl launched the project “Being human – what is that?” with the artists of “Tölzer Art”.
Over 100 artists from 22 countries took part.
© Proehl
From now on, an art exhibition can be seen in the window of the former Hillerbrand hat shop on Marktstrasse.
These are the images from the “Being Human” project, which Inge Friedl from Tölz initiated after the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.
The topic of humanity is timelessly relevant, says the artist - and is happy about new contributions.
Bad Tölz - A nativity scene had been visible in the shop window of the property, which had been abandoned for years, since December.
Wolfgang Friedl, the chairman of the Tölzer Nativity Scene Association, is Inge Friedl's husband.
The painter had designed the background for the nativity scene - as for several others in the city.
With the dismantling, the shop window in a prime location would have been empty again.
“I just thought that was a shame,” says Inge Friedl.
That's why she talked to the homeowner and the city about whether the pictures could be revived.
“I’m very pleased that the idea was immediately well received.”
From students to seniors: all generations took part
The “Being Human” project came about after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Friedl and the ten members of the “Tölzer Art” group asked themselves the question: “Being human – what is that?” This question could not be answered through personal contacts only through Germany, but in 22 countries around the world, and 120 answers came back - written by people between the ages of 12 and 93.
They all wrote in a personal way about what is important to them in life and what connects them to each other.
Hobby artists from Italy, Mexico, China, Algeria, the Dominican Republic, Afghanistan, Nepal, Senegal, Brazil and Thailand also took part in the campaign.
Friedl received texts and images with dreams, longings and thoughts about the desire for peaceful coexistence.
The exhibition was widely circulated at the time
At that time, the picture cycle could not only be seen in Bad Tölz, but also in the Benediktbeuern monastery, in a Munich church and in Tölz's twin town in San Giuliano Terme.
It attracted a lot of attention and conversation everywhere, and there were even school projects about it.
Friedl is happy that he is now present again.
“The question is still relevant,” says the painter.
“And it is actually still being carried on.” Even during the Corona period she still received answers.
New contributions are welcome
She explains the project on a board in the shop window.
She also shows her own picture of a globe in which a magnifying glass reveals a human face - it was the “kick-off” to the project.
The first two text images that Friedl chose came from Inge Michalik and Ilse Korsitzki.
“I will change the objects about every month,” says the woman from Tölz.
It was also important to her to put a mirror in the shop window – “so that everyone can reflect on themselves.”
Anyone who would like to do so can contribute now.
“It's a different time now, but the question is still relevant.
Unfortunately, not much has changed for the better in the world.”
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