Heimo Zobernig

A striking sculpture greets visitors right at the entrance: the material aesthetic of this towering aluminium stele adds an elegant flourish to the visual impression of the rust-coloured bridge and the wood-and-glass elements of the foyer. Heimo Zobernig (*1958 Mauthen, AT) created this tripartite structure especially for this location, incorporating keywords, such as examination, invention and protection, to represent the fields of activity of the Office. The vertically aligned words rise upwards from the base to form the piece's delicate structure. The viewer can read individual letters and whole words or appreciate the object as a three-dimensional ornament. Heimo Zobernig belongs to a group of artists who consider art as a reference system, engendered by social assignments and appointments. This sculpture is an unusual piece by the artist, whose works are often characterised by economy of material and lightness of touch.