Berlin-Based Artists’ Collective Installs Sculpture on the Mainz University of Applied Sciences Campus
The artwork “Zollstock” has now been installed on the Mainz University of Applied Sciences campus. The sculpture was created as part of the “Kunst am Bau” competition organized by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, which was won in June 2021 by the Berlin-based artist collective “inges idee.” The design depicts a dynamic figure that appears to be taking all the steps leading to the future main entrance of the new building in a single, giant stride.
The six-meter-tall sculpture, made of sheet steel, depicts a figure formed from an oversized, unfolded yellow folding ruler. Its open form invites a variety of interpretations. The folding ruler, as an ubiquitous measuring tool, is intended—in line with the artists’ vision—to serve as a symbol of measuring, determining, and verifying—a visual metaphor that connects the three departments of Mainz University of Applied Sciences: Design, Technology, and Business. Thus, the sculpture is intended to refer equally to creative design, technical precision, and economic thinking.
The folding ruler is intended to serve as a humorous and dynamic bridge between analog traditions and digital developments—and symbolizes the momentum with which Mainz University of Applied Sciences is moving toward the future. Furthermore, the artist collective deliberately chose the folding rule for this “Art in Architecture” competition because it is an innovative invention from Maikammer in Rhineland-Palatinate dating back to 1886.
“Art in Architecture” is a state-funded program in which a fixed percentage of the construction budget for public building projects is allocated to artistic designs on or inside the building. The goal is to foster a dialogue between architecture and art and to culturally enhance public spaces through artistic contributions.
This article was published on the website on August 11, 2025.
