Sculptural Installation "Youngster“, Sylt

Sylt – The new generation is here. More than 200 young seals have settled on the lawn at the Platz Neue Mitte Westerland rather than on the beach. They look at us with big saucer eyes that go straight to the heart - curious about the world, curious about life. Their heads stretched upwards wide awake, their front fins relaxed against their streamlined bodies, their hind fins elegantly nestled together - as if the little howlers were pausing for a moment to ask: "Are you protecting us, our future, our oceans, our planet?"

The unusual art project was initiated by Juliane and Sebastian Uerpmann. In cooperation with the community of Sylt, the two managing directors of Kunsthaus Uerpmann were able to win over the German conceptual artist Ottmar Hörl to develop and realise a new temporary sculptural installation for Westerland. The art installation is open to the public and can be seen from 14. June 2025 to 12. September 2025.

The choice of the seal - symbolising the Wadden Sea, its fragile beauty and biodiversity worthy of protection - is deliberate. The choice of the seal - symbolising the Wadden Sea, its fragile beauty and biodiversity worthy of protection - is deliberate. Many young seals sunbathe on the North Sea coast in early summer. Young seals are born on sandbanks. For this reason, you should first assume that the mother is nearby and will return to the beach. However, if a human approaches too closely or even touches the animal, this can lead to the mother no longer accepting her young one. The North Sea is not only a source of food for seals and harbour seals, but also an important shipping route with access to world markets. And so the question arises: Is it possible for tourism, trade, fishing and species conservation to work together?

As in many of his projects, Hörl uses serial figures to create a strong visual presence and address complex themes with a haunting, playful lightness.

"We humans have always had a very special relationship with animals. My animal sculptures have always been created out of certain contexts, ideas and places. In general, however, they also symbolise life itself, the existence of all living things on our planet. We should therefore treat other living beings with love and care, respect them and protect them", emphasises Hörl. "The installation is also supposed to give people pleasure and bring them into conversation with one another. And - in contrast to real seals - the sculptures can be touched with care."

The little Hörl seals are likely to bring a smile to the faces of the amazed audience. And anyone who would like to purchase such a heart-warming sculpture to help refinance the project and protect the oceans can contact Kunsthaus Uerpmann directly.

For every sold sculpture, 10 euros will go to the "Deutsche Stiftung Meeresschutz" ["German Foundation for Marine Protection"].

Text: Eva Schickler M.A.

Sale of the sculptures and further information:
Kunsthaus Uerpmann
Galerie auf Sylt
Bismarckstraße 3
25980 Sylt | Westerland
E-Mail: sylt@kunsthaus-uerpmann.de
Telefon: 04651 / 299 900 3

Subscription prices until 12. September 2025:
unsigned € 100,00 (regular € 120,00)
signed € 200,00 (200 copies), (regular € 240,00)

The sculpture will also be available in the Ottmar Hörl Online Shop from 13. September 2025.

View "Seal" in the Shop
View Website of the Organizer
Download Flyer for the Installation

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Sculptural Installation "Youngster“, Sylt

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