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Stefan Emmelmann :
District Commissioner_x001a_s Offices Zwettl

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Zwettl, 2001
Am Statzenberg 1, 3910 Zwettl

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With a colourful interweave of transparent Perspex in a steel frame, in the courtyard of the district commissioner's office, Stefan Emmelmann has formed a 2.5m x 4.25m screen into the outline of the district of Zwettl. There number 24 bands as there are the same number of communities incorporated in the district.

Stefan Emmelmann created an object full of strong colours to offset the plain grey concrete and natural stone used for the office buildings. Inside the inner courtyard which is open towards the back he placed a large 2.5 by 4.25 m tubular steel wall screen with 24 interlaced ribbons made of coloured transparent plexiglas. The number of ribbons was chosen to correspond with the 24 municipalities of the district, which according to the artist make up its lively colourful fabric. The pattern created by the ribbons is a rough copy of the district area. The flat, emblem-shaped screen resembles part of a map pushed in between the courtyard, the adjacent green patch and the panorama of the town. Depending on the time of day and the incidence of light colourful shadows are cast on the ground and the object is reflected in the windows, adding life to the entire courtyard. It acts as a protective wall for the courtyard to screen it off like a separate room. Yet at the same time it opens up new dimensions, embedding itself in its surroundings, hinting at contexts both narrow and wide.
(Cornelia Offergeld)