Light means life. A lighthouse means survival. If its light goes out, ships are in danger of being dashed to pieces on rocks. The tower stands in Kapistran-Pieller-Platz alongside Hauptbrücke. Pulsating gently in the rhythm of the human heart, it emits powerful beams of light whenever a child is born in Graz as a sign of welcome. This happens ten to fifteen times a day.
The free-standing sculpture is made of bronze-coloured steel and glass like an elegant modern variation of the classical beacon of shipping. The rectangular light box sits high atop the slender square column. A bell hangs on its side, used only in case of need. An algorithm determines when the pulsating transitions into a brief beacon of welcome.
The square alongside the historic outer Mur gate to the city centre was dedicated to Franciscan Father Kapistran Pieller around 2000/2010, who had stood up to the Nazis, for which he was arrested, tortured and, shortly before the end of the war on 15 April 1945, executed.
In memory of dark times and in an awareness of today’s complicated situation, the lighthouse located here in the city of human rights embodies a sign of welcome and appreciation of all life.
Atelier van Lieshout was founded in Rotterdam in 1995 by Joep van Lieshout, born in Ravenstein/Netherlands in 1963.
