Mythical Creature Spotted!

A new ‘art in architecture’ project has been unveiled at the GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel. The work is by the Berlin-based artist Mary Audrey Ramirez, who combines various media in her work – from sculptures and installations to video games. For her latest artwork, she visited GEOMAR for the first time and took in the surroundings. “GEOMAR’s location, right by the water, invites you to linger. That’s why I was keen to create a place where people can come together and meet. In my opinion, that’s something that was missing before,” says Mary Audrey Ramirez. It is her first public project on this scale. The seating sculpture is situated on the west side of GEOMAR’s new building (Building 5), which was occupied in 2023. The artist drew inspiration, amongst other things, from bladderwrack, which is native to the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the North Atlantic.

Bladderwrack Made from 3D-Printed Cast Concrete

“I was particularly captivated by the organic shape of bladderwrack. It grows right on GEOMAR’s doorstep in the Baltic Sea and contributes to a healthy ecosystem,” says Mary Audrey Ramirez. The sculpture was produced as a 3D-printed concrete cast in South Tyrol. The surface has been deliberately left rough and natural. In her view, a smooth, glossy finish would not have suited the material’s authentic character: “I also associate this authenticity and connection to nature with GEOMAR. That should be reflected in the art.” The starting point for the sculpture was the idea of extending the collaborative work at GEOMAR to the outdoor area as well.

A Mysterious Creature Is Intended to Arouse Curiosity

Another part of the artwork is a creature placed on the seat inspired by bladderwrack. Ramirez deliberately designed it in such a way that it defies clear classification. The object is intended not only to serve as a seat, but also to spark curiosity: What is it? Where does it come from? How old is it? The artist herself calls the creature ‘Critter’. The term is used to describe a likeable, somewhat mysterious and non-threatening creature. 

The sculpture does not yet have a name. Ramirez is inviting the GEOMAR community to name the creature. “I’d like to hand the creature over so that it can become a new mascot here at GEOMAR,” says Mary Audrey Ramirez. Unlike the concrete seating sculpture, the “Critter” was cast in aluminium.

Background: 

Art in Architecture

Since 1950, a certain amount of the construction costs for federal building projects has been designated for ‘art in architecture’. This highlights the importance of art in public spaces. The new GEOMAR building, which was occupied in 2023, also features two works of art: inside is the light installation ‘Die Verwandlung’ by Hans Peter Kuhn. Outside, the sculpture ‘Critter’ by Mary Audrey Ramirez now complements the ensemble. It ist located between the new building (Building 5) and the historic Building 4, which is also used by GEOMAR.