Triangelis: Public Commission

In 2017 Bodo worked on a bespoke commission for Johannes church in Erbach, near Frankfurt in Germany. As his first public space project, Bodo was able apply his creative process to a new sphere.

Public Commission

Triangelis

The antique chandeliers that hang in the church were a primary source of inspiration. Dating from the Netherlands in the sixteenth century and made from brass, these are familiar objects in the paintings of the Dutch masters, such as Vermeer.

The brief was remarkable: to design a font, ambo and candle holder to be installed following the renovation of the neo-gothic church. The items had to fulfil a specific function whilst working with the influence of the interior space - both its physicality and sanctity.

Responding to these unique surroundings, Bodo made the radical proposal to use movement to create a dynamic interaction between the pieces and their environment. The font is dramatically suspended from the ceiling and when needed, smoothly descends with an ethereal theatricality.

Gallery

As well as honouring and understanding the church space, the pieces also recognise the culture and craftsmanship of the surrounding area, using local wood for the book stand and traditional brass sand-casting methods at the family-run Glassl Foundry in Michaelstadt.

Photography: Michael Donath

Videography: Eduard Rittinger