This insight describes one of 563 public artworks in Basel. If you’d like to explore more publicly accessible artworks, browse the full dataset on data.bs. Or even better—experience them in person by booking a tour with Artstübli – Kunst und Kultur.
In Basel, at the Wohnheim Kannenfeld on Nonnenweg 72, there is a unique piece of street art by Johannes Burla titled "Ohne Titel," created in 1956. This artwork is located above the entrance of the building and features modern animal imagery. The installation consists of stone sculptures that were added to the youth home in two phases. Initially, two capitals depicting cats and geese were created as a result of an art competition. Two years later, additional sculptures of fish and sea lions were commissioned directly.
The artist, Vera von Reitzenstein, crafted these stone reliefs, ingeniously integrating various animals into a two-sided stone cube. The design challenge was to provide ample space for the animals' bodies within the confines of the cube. The cats, for instance, are depicted in both a striding and crouching posture, with their heads aligned vertically at the cube's projecting edge, maintaining a vigilant expression. This thoughtful integration of form and function highlights the artistic ingenuity involved in the creation of this piece.
The artwork is currently marked for removal, but it remains a testament to the creative spirit and artistic heritage of Basel. For those interested in exploring further, additional information and photographs are available for download online.
🤖 This text was generated with the assistance of AI. All quantitative statements are derived directly from the dataset listed under Data Source.