The city of Plauen in Saxony's Vogtland region has begun replacing its beloved wooden Father-and-Son sculptures with weather-resistant plastic versions, marking a significant upgrade to the public art installation that has adorned the city's pedestrian zone for six years. The life-sized figurines are based on the famous comic characters created by Erich Ohser, Plauen's most renowned artist.
Approximately twenty life-sized Father-and-Son figure pairs have decorated Plauen's downtown area since their installation six years ago. However, many of the wooden sculptures have developed severe cracks over time, with some becoming internally rotten and requiring removal for safety reasons. On Monday, the first plastic replacement figures were installed in the pedestrian zone, bringing an end to the deterioration problems that plagued the original wooden versions.
Local residents have responded positively to the new plastic sculptures. "They definitely look fresh, not as destroyed as some of the others," commented one Plauen resident. Another passerby noted, "They don't look new, but they're interesting." The most praised aspect of the replacement figures is their durability, with many locals appreciating the practical benefits of the material change.
The new sculptures are made from fiberglass-reinforced plastic that maintains the appearance of wood while offering superior weather resistance. "It's like papier-mâché! Yes, fiberglass-reinforced plastic. But they look like wood. They're certainly more durable," observed a woman after tapping one of the new figures. This durability argument has convinced most passersby about the merit of the new versions. "It's definitely more sustainable," said one supporter, while a traditional wood enthusiast acknowledged, "I'm more of a classic wood fan. That way craftsmen always have work."
According to Eckhard Sorger, head of the Tourism and Market Affairs department for the city, the new models should withstand sun, frost, rain, and snow for more than ten years. Unlike their handcrafted wooden predecessors, these sculptures were produced using 3D printing technology. "We're switching to plastic now. We can achieve this with this 3D printing process. The figures are printed from bottom to top. It's quite exciting when you see the pictures of the process," Sorger explained.
Each plastic pair costs approximately 7,000 euros, which is comparable to the wooden versions but offers significantly better value due to increased longevity. Sorger hopes that the first five plastic pairs will quickly be followed by additional replacements. "We have the special situation that most Father-and-Son figures belong to companies in this city, all working to make our city more beautiful overall. And we simply have to stay in conversation with them," he noted. The city hopes that seeing these prototypes will encourage business owners to replace their wooden figures with plastic versions.
The Sparkasse Vogtland bank immediately embraced the new technology, having been forced to remove their previous wooden figures last year for safety reasons. "Because we really liked the old figure and we had to watch with a heavy heart as it slowly deteriorated. We want to permanently show that we are connected to the region, to Erich Ohser," explained board member Thomas Janke Brischmann. "The figure enables us to do this in a very sympathetic and friendly way."
Plauen residents strongly support maintaining and expanding the Father-and-Son figure presence throughout the city. "It's good for the city because it's a classic landmark for the city," said one local resident. Another citizen emphasized the promotional value: "It's good advertising for the city and the region. It's a super image, it's incredible. You can identify with it, I think, even as a Plauen resident." The sculptures have become integral to Plauen's downtown identity, serving as both tourist attractions and symbols of local pride, regardless of whether they're made from wood or plastic.
