Sound Work References:
Collection: City of Pulheim
Location: Town Square, Stommeln-Pulheim, Germany
Dimensions: 137 x 54 meters
Extant: 2007-Present
(a permanent sound work in the town square)
Image: Max Neuhaus, Stommeln 2007
Time Piece Stommeln , a film by Werner Hannappel showing this work's realization process including the town meeting with the citizens of Stommeln, 2007
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Since 1991, the former Stommeln Synagogue in Stommeln, a district of Pulheim, has hosted an exclusive art project: works created exclusively for the synagogue by renowned contemporary artists are intended to raise awareness of the site. The concept envisages an artistic intervention related to the donated space, its history, and its architecture, taking place once a year.
The first work was created by Jannis Kounellis in 1991, followed by works by Richard Serra, Georg Baselitz, Mischa Kuball, Eduardo Chillida, Maria Nordman, Carl Andre, Rebecca Horn, Erich Reusch, Giuseppe Penone, Roman Signer, Lawrence Weiner, Rosemarie Trockel, Richard Long, Sol LeWitt, and Santiago Sierra.
Neuhaus's "Time Piece" is positioned as an acoustic presence in the public space.
Max Neuhaus has created a permanent sound installation for the Stommeln Synagogue: he invented a specially designed sound based on the synagogue's acoustic conditions. At regular intervals, yet to be determined, the sound will be projected inside the synagogue. The synagogue itself will remain empty. However, Neuhaus's "Time Piece" will localize it as an acoustic presence in the public space.
The artist's "Time Piece" for Stommeln is large-scale. It encompasses much of the area surrounding the synagogue, extending for 500 meters, and is perceptible to everyone, whether residents or just passing through, not to mention those who come specifically to observe the work.
The project was completed in 2007. It required a considerable real estate investment, particularly due to the complex technology employed, currently amounting to €200,000. This exceptionally high sum far exceeds the budget allocated for artistic projects supported by the city of Pulheim. The Department of Cultural Affairs is responsible for the Max Neuhaus project and the North Rhine-Westphalia region. However, the city has received support from other partners for the project's implementation.
Font: Archive Estate Max Neuhaus, 2007
