XXL-Einheitsmännchen (Grenzen überwinden) ["XXL-Unity Men (Crossing borders)"]

In 2015, the state of Hesse organized the celebrations for the 25th anniversary of German reunification. On this occasion, the Hessian State Chancellery commissioned artist Ottmar Hörl to create an installation with serial figures that traveled throughout Germany as ambassadors.

Hörl decided to reinterpret Karl Peglau's popular "Ampelmännchen" (traffic light man). According to Hörl, the green traffic light symbol for "walk" stands figuratively for both the civil rights movement and the peaceful demonstrations of 1989, as well as for change, progress, and overcoming boundaries in general. onsors such as ING Bank in Frankfurt am Main supported the Hessian state government's project by purchasing a large sculpture. Therefore, the 3.6-meter-high "Unity Men" can be found not only in Frankfurt am Main, Wiesbaden, and Berlin, but also on the Unity Bridge in Vacha and at the K+S company in front of the adventure mine in Merkers. At the beginning of October 2025, two of the XXL sculptures were presented at the Römerberg in Frankfurt as part of the anniversary celebrations. They were some of the most popular photo motifs.

Text: Eva Schickler M.A.

View Project "25th Anniversary of German Reunification"
View order form for sculptures from the installation

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XXL-Einheitsmännchen (Grenzen überwinden) ["XXL-Unity Men (Crossing borders)"]

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