Castors to Halfpipes | Projekt für Ahaus | 2004/05

castoren zu halfpipes | 2004/05
Projekt zur Skulptur-Biennale Münsterland 2005

project outline
to the Sculpture Biennale Münsterland 2005

In cooperation with interested local initiatives (skater, youth centre, citizens’ initiative for environmental protection, vocational orientation centre…) I would like to present a usable sculpture with young people from Ahaus and the surrounding area in a two- to three-week workshop as part of the Skulptur-Biennale Münsterland 2005.

  • 1/2 castor x 2xL x 2xH x 2xB = half-pipe –

build.

The finished sculpture (halfpipe) will then be moved through the district in a joint parade – a Castor transport on “Day X”, as it were – before it is permanently installed in the castle garden and handed over to the public for use.

Castors to Halfpipes!

The recent history of Ahaus and the district is decisively determined by the debate about the use of nuclear energy, especially the nuclear waste storage facility – the so-called central fuel element interim storage facility (BEZ).
Since 1992, radioactive waste from various German nuclear power plants has been stored in a huge hall on the outskirts of Ahaus. How topical this topic is is illustrated by the fact that a few days ago a new storage and transport permit for 18 Castor containers from a former research reactor near Dresden was issued by the Lüneburg Higher Administrative Court. Hardly any other conflict has so much danger potential for humans and environment, as well as social explosive material, which the society threatens to tear apart sometimes.
Numerous yellow crosses of the protest (day X) testify to this conflict and have become an integral part of the cityscape of Ahaus.

In a certain contrast to this is the fact that, according to those affected, youth and leisure activities leave much to be desired. There has been a halfpipe on the outskirts of the city on the Oark leisure area for some time. Due to resident complaints this is to be torn down however – contrary to the atomic waste camp -. The construction of a half pipe for skaters and inliners in the castle park would be conceivable (central location, no direct residents) and desirable.