2024-01-11
A sculpture’s trip to Wiesbaden
Moving a nine-ton steel sculpture by the internationally renowned artist Eduardo Chillida (1924–2002) from Hernani, Spain, to Wiesbaden posed a formidable challenge. Find out how Reinhard Ernst seized the opportunity to acquire the work of art “Buscando la luz III” (Eng. Searching for Light III), its perilous transport to Germany, and its triumphant installation in the museum’s inner courtyard.
It was in 2020 when collector Reinhard Ernst bid for the sculpture Buscando la luz III by Eduardo Chillida at a Sotheby’s auction in London. The work of art held a personal significance for Ernst, who had learned about the sculptor’s steel compositions through his friend and architect Fumihiko Maki. Years before the auction took place, Ernst had already taken a keen interest in the above work of art, then located at the sculpture park Museo Chillida-Leku in Hernani.
Ernst was the successful bidder at auction, and it occurred to him that the new home for Chillida’s sculpture should be his museum’s inner courtyard. Fumihiko Maki applauded this plan.
Following the acquisition, the first logistical challenges surfaced as the nine-ton sculpture had to be transported from London to Germany. The weight and size of the three elements needed meticulous planning in order to complete the transport in 2020 before Brexit.
To make matters worse, the sculpture got damaged when being lifted into the transporter in London. After the damage was assessed by the insurers, Ernst decided to have the sculpture restored in a specialized workshop in Germany.
On September 30th 2022, at a rather unusual time of the day, the restored sculpture was finally ready to be placed in the museum’s inner courtyard. At the dead of night, and in utter stillness, “Buscando la luz III” was hoisted by a 90-meter-long crane under Reinhard Ernst’s watchful eyes. Wiesbaden’s Partnership Association with San Sebastián, as well as curious onlookers stood by in great expectation.
Precision and nerves of steel were required to slowly hoist each element into the building. At 2 a.m., to everyone’s great relief and joy, the crane chain was detached from the last part of the sculpture. The installation was complete.
Discover the entire journey of the three-part steel sculpture “Buscando la luz III” in motion here (English subtitles provided):
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