Antarctica 24 The new column in the STOA169 Polling, July 2024 The Hall of Art STOA169, near the monastery village of Polling, has a new addition. The representation column for the 7th continent, Antarctica, has been completed. The column idea was developed by the artist Paul Schwer in collaboration with the artist Saskia Tamara Kaiser and installed in the past few days. The transparent plastic sculpture is paradoxical and ambivalent due to the material plastic, which simulates the image of the Antarctic. Created from the fossil fuel oil, its combustion causes global warming and thus the melting of the 7th continent. ‘The form resembles an icicle tapering towards the bottom. The prevailing white and turquoise tones are interrupted by bright, signal-like colours and black, graphic forms. Some sections look as if they were viewed through coloured glasses. Transparent, translucent and opaque surfaces alternate and change with the incidence of light. At second glance, deformed penguins can be seen in the graphic grid elements, or a huge enlargement of their heads with the eye as a black dot. The drawing of the plumage becomes abstract brushstrokes. The columned hall is reflected in a distorted way in the shiny surface. The heated and re-solidified acrylic glass gives the form something flowing. Held by shiny silver metal rings, the impression of movement is supported,’ is how Paul Schwer describes the stele. There was already a new addition to STOA169 in 2024. In spring, after a few delays, the column by American conceptual artist Jimmie Durham (1940-2021) was completed and installed. It was made by Frank Lindner, Polling, from three different types of stone according to Durham’s design. ‘Vom Fluss’ (From the River), as the work is titled, symbolises the nearby Ammer, whose riverbed is formed from the stone ‘Bahia Azul’. ‘When I saw the pictures of STOA169, I immediately noticed the natural environment and suspected that a river was flowing nearby. Rivers have many hidden properties, but they also stand for change and movement, and I wanted to echo the river in STOA…’ (Jimmie Durham) The STOA169 is always worth a visit, whatever the weather. Now, in summer, the total work of art is particularly impressive, in the middle of nature and in the lush green surroundings, supported by 121 individually designed columns, created by internationally renowned artists from all over the world: the idea came from the artist Bernd Zimmer and he has been pursuing its realisation for over 35 years. Since 2021, the open columned hall STOA169 has stood on a piece of agricultural land near the monastery village of Polling, on the banks of the Ammer river, in the middle of the Pfaffenwinkel region. Artists from all continents were selected to design one column each, which, as an archive of today’s art, support the common roof. More than 340,000 people have visited STOA169 to date. They come from far and wide. Visitors reach the columned hall on foot or by bicycle. It takes about twenty minutes to walk or cycle from the car park along a path that can be used for agriculture in the most beautiful surroundings to a disused river bend. From there, the view of the columned hall opens up. ‘It is important to me that the uniqueness of nature can be perceived at the same time as art at this place,’ says Bernd Zimmer. No further buildings will be constructed on the site, and the adjacent areas will be used for agricultural and ecological purposes. More than 340,000 people have now visited STOA169. They come from far and wide. Visitors reach the columned hall on foot or by bicycle. From the car park, it takes about twenty minutes to walk or cycle through beautiful surroundings along a path that can be used for agriculture to a disused river bend. From there, the view of the columned hall opens up. ‘It is important to me that the uniqueness of nature can be perceived at the same time as the art at this location,’ says Bernd Zimmer. No further buildings will be constructed on the site; the adjacent areas will be used for agricultural and ecological purposes. Further information can be found at:

STOA169 – Columns Hall in Polling, Bavaria

Press contact: Angelika and Arno Schindel, Schindel PR, Munich, www.schindelpr.de a.schindel@gmx.de Tel.:++49 171 5220227 Stoa169 Foundation | stiftung@stoa169.com | Tel +49 (0)8802 90 180 91 Kirchplatz 2 | D – 82398 Polling | www.STOA169.com |