A striking new public art installation titled 'We Love Football' by artist Heike Lichtenberg was officially unveiled Wednesday in front of the municipal youth soccer training center on Karlsruhe Avenue. The steel and enamel sculpture, standing approximately 16 feet tall, serves as a landmark for the facility that has been operating for two years.
The total cost of the project reached approximately $33,000, made possible through funding from the Social Cohesion Support Program for the Silberhöhe district. The artwork is designed to draw attention to the new municipal youth soccer training center while serving as a symbol of community pride and athletic excellence in the area.
The sculpture is constructed from galvanized steel, with the soccer ball, goalkeeper gloves, face, upper body, socks, and shoes made from durable enamel signs. The figure is mounted on a pedestal to ensure effective presentation and wide visibility throughout the neighborhood. This elevated positioning also provides protection against potential vandalism, according to city officials.
The path to installation was lengthy, with the artistic competition for the work taking place nine years ago. 'It was a long journey,' said Deputy Mayor for Culture and Sports Dr. Judith Marquardt during the unveiling ceremony. She described the sculpture as 'a new landmark for Silberhöhe' and noted that the city now maintains around 300 artworks in public spaces.
Dr. Marquardt emphasized the city's commitment to conducting art competitions, often in collaboration with the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design. 'We are always pleased when the creativity of Burg radiates out into the neighborhoods,' she explained. The artist has another figurine group nearby at Schöpfkelle, which has required neither repairs nor cleaning in the more than 10 years since its installation.
Heike Lichtenberg, a former student of Professor Irmtraud Ohme at Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design Halle, expressed her satisfaction with the prominent location. 'You have to pass by here almost every day, and I want to be able to do that with my head held high,' Lichtenberg said. She added that she was delighted that such a prominent site was chosen for her work.
The sculpture aims to revitalize the Silberhöhe district, which now houses 12,000 residents compared to its former population of 39,000. Dirk Neumann, managing director of the Freiheit Housing Cooperative, praised the installation as identity-forming for the community. 'Public art is an important concern for our company,' Neumann stated, viewing the artwork as a positive contribution to neighborhood development.
Prior to installation, the site required examination by the explosive ordnance disposal service due to previous discoveries of multiple bombs during construction work on the neighboring youth training center. This precautionary measure ensured the safety of the installation process and future visitors to the area.
