Ludwig Stocker: Einrollen-Ausrollen (1978) / Interview with Ludwig Stocker

In this video we have a closer look at a true gem of art in public spaces. Created by the Basel-based artist Ludwig Stocker, the sculpture with the title “Einrollen-Ausrollen (1978)” (Rolling In – Rolling Out), is unique and fascinating in many respects. Ludwig Stocker’s work is located in a rather unusual place in Basel, Switzerland: right in the middle of a spiral pedestrian/bicycle footbridge with the highway on one side and allotment gardens on the other.

Here, where Basel’s execution site used to be, a bridge was built in the 1970s as part of the construction of the freeway to provide access to two parts of the city for non-motorized traffic. In order to overcome the difference in height and at the same time take up little space, a spiral bridge was chosen. To enrich the site with a work of art, Kunstkredit Basel announced a competition, which was won by Ludwig Stocker. Stocker created a vertical column made of Carrara marble as the center for the spiral walkway, with five elements that symbolize evolution.

We had the chance to meet up with the artist in his studio in Basel to get to know more about this artwork. In this video, Ludwig Stocker talks about how this artwork came about, the inspiration for the work, the unique location of the marble column, and the different elements of the piece. The interview was conducted in Swiss German, subtitles in High German and English are available.

Interview with Ludwig Stocker, Basel (Switzerland), June 28, 2024.

P.S.: After all these years, Ludwig Stocker’s sculpture is an amazing piece of art. It has aged extraordinarily well. Although not many people, even Basel residents, know about this work, it is definitely an artwork that deserves good care and (much more) attention. Those who know about it enjoy its oasis like character. Many thanks to Denise Bienz and Ludwig Stocker for the interview.