As of: February 28, 2024, 8:59 p.m
By: Magnus Reitinger
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The “free swimmer” by Michaela Johanne Gräper at the Au-Weiher in Weilheim: an approximately 50 centimeter high sculpture with a diving block made of cast aluminum, painted.
© Rudder
In a series, the local newspaper presents the artists of all ten new works that were created for the Weilheim Sculpture Trail.
Today: Michaela Johanne Gräper's “free swimmer” at the pond in the Au.
Weilheim - In a series, the local newspaper presents the artists of all ten new works that were created for the Weilheim Sculpture Trail, which opened in October 2023 - and asks them to answer short questions about their work and Weilheim.
Today: Michaela Johanne Gräper, whose sculpture “Free Swimmer” can be seen directly at the pond in the Au.
Looking forward to the summer lightness of being
“The idea developed from the reference in the advertisement that there used to be a swimming and bathing establishment in the Au,” explains the sculptor.
And she adds: “It is what it is, a swimmer jumping into the cool water – in anticipation of the summer lightness of being.”
Gräper completed the vocational school for carvers and wood sculptors in 1984 with a journeyman's certificate and then studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich from 1987 to 1992 (with Eduardo Paolozzi and James Reineking).
She lives and works as a freelance sculptor in Burggen.
Their craft and artistic roots lie “to a large extent in traditional Oberammergau carving,” says Constanze Werner, the director of the Oberammergau Museum: “Gräper’s sculptures are strong women who proudly tell of strength and sensitivity – of femininity.”
Michaela Johanne Gräper lives and works as a sculptor in Burggen.
© private
Here are Michaela Johanne Gräper's answers to our questions about the Weilheim Sculpture Trail:
For me, art is...
... expression of human existence and reflection of social debates.
My news
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My work for Weilheim should...
... reflect the lightness of being in politically and socially difficult times, so as not to completely forget small moments of happiness.
This is how I would explain this sculpture in one sentence:
Capture happy moments.
I learned my art...
... through observation, practical learning of a craft in order to implement ideas, recognize inspiration and further develop your own ideas.
You can see other works of mine here:
The installation EEYYSIR in the Oberammergau Museum, in various temporary exhibitions, on my website michaelagraeper.com, in my studio in Burggen.
Apart from the sculpture trail, what I like about Weilheim...
... the old town and the location of the city in the foothills of the Alps.
further information
You can find information about the artists and works on the Sculpture Trail as well as the newly published book online at www.merkur.de (enter the search term “Sculpture Trail Weilheim”).
The website skulpturenweg.kunstforum-weilheim.de also offers a lot of pictures and information.
Also read in our series on the Weilheim Sculpture Trail:
“Scoop” by Renato Rill - a cornucopia inspired by “The Notwist”
“The Limits to Growth - Monument to a Blade of Grass” by Hermann Bigelmayr
“Volcanic eruption from hell beneath Weilheim” by Egon Stöckle
“My dear, help me to exist in this world” - a torture in honor of the animals by Cornelia Rapp
“In Order To Location” by Carlotta Wirtl
“Haus” by Basilius Kleinhans
“Installation without title” by Bernd Wagenhäuser
“Red Wave “by Max Mirlach”