Sculptural Installation "Der Mäzen" ["The Patron"], Bayreuth

The city of Bayreuth is internationally renowned for its festival dedicated to the works of Richard Wagner. In the summer of 1876, the Festival Theatre was opened - an event that wrote music history. At that time, the entire opera cycle "Der Ring des Nibelungen" ["The Ring of the Nibelungen"] was performed for the first time.

To this day, the appeal of this event shows 'the communicative power and mobilising energy that can be generated by innovative artistic concepts', as Ottmar Hörl once stated. Art in all its forms of expression acts as an essential catalyst, as a driving force for education, social and personal development. This conviction also unites the three personalities: the composer Richard Wagner, King Ludwig II. of Bavaria and the contemporary conceptual artist Ottmar Hörl.

Without the support of King Ludwig II. of Bavaria, Richard Wagner would hardly have been able to realise his artistic vision to this extent. Both were united by a passion for poetry and music, a soul mate in the spirit of Romanticism. Ludwig, who had already attended a performance of "Lohengrin" in 1861, was impressed by Wagner's thoughts on music theory and music philosophy. In Wagner, he recognised the creative spirit who knew how to combine opulent worlds of sound with material from Germanic mythology and legends to create a moving synthesis of the arts. The idea of a festival theatre as a place of artistic experience and emotion was a common concern for both of them. In many ways, they have opened a new chapter in the history of musical theatre and left a lasting cultural mark. Ludwig II. was Wagner's most important patron, whose works inspired the king to create architectural and interior design projects"¹ for his extraordinary palace buildings, which to this day inspire people from all over the world to travel to Bavaria.

To draw attention to Ludwig's role as a patron of Wagner and the power of art patronage, Ottmar Hörl has created new serial, golden sculptures of King Ludwig II. of Bavaria, which now create a unique image for the first time together with Richard Wagner figures on the central green area in front of the festival theatre: Ludwig stands upright, with his typical water-wave hairstyle wearing a floor-length coat. His left hand rests loosely on his hip, his right arm is slightly bent, raised in a majestic and royal salute to the audience approaching.

¹ https://hdbg.eu/koenigreich/index.php/themen/index/herrscher_id/7/id/42

Text: Eva Schickler M.A.

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Sculptural Installation "Der Mäzen" ["The Patron"], Bayreuth

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