Cedarhurst Sculpture Park

Gunnar Theel

Bau’99
1993-1997, Steel, On loan from FGM, Inc.
Given in honor of Clifford Field’s 44 years of leadership and dedication to FGM, Inc., June 1998

Gunnar Theel’s sculptures reflect his interest in modern and archaic architecture, and Bau’99 is a perfect example to illustrate this passion. The lower half of Bau’99 is based on the regular and close intervals of columns inside Egyptian temples. If you have never noticed this when looking a photographs of such temples, take note, for it truly is a curious phenomenon. In terms of engineering, so many columns were simply not necessary . . . so why the overkill? Was is purely for visual effect, perhaps a metaphor implying the power and solidity of the Egyptian rulers? As you ponder that thought, let’s move to the upper half of Bau’99. The strong rectangular form is based on famous architect, Le Corbusier’s apartment building in Marseilles, Unité d’Habitation. So here lies the combination of archaic and modern . . . to create a contemporary sculpture.

For Theel, the right angle is visually powerful. The right angle in the physical world and its inherent "sensations of stillness, harmony, and equilibrium" are Theel’s inspiration and goal as he moves from preliminary sketch to finished sculpture through a process of reducing forms to their most basic elements. Theel’s intent is finding the quintessential form, elegant and graceful, like nature itself.

Theel attended the School of Design in Hamburg and the Academy of Fine Arts in Munich. He moved to the United States in 1969 and is currently living in New York City. His work is found in many museums including the Metropolitan Museum in New York. Bau’99 was purchased by FGM, Inc. of Mt. Vernon in honor of retiring principal architect, Clifford Fields. Mr. Fields retired as a Trustee for the Mitchell Foundation in 1997. What a thrill to have Bau’99 at Cedarhurst!

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