Refurbished Attraction: Worm and Pink Pig Reappear in City Center's Central Area
In the heart of Bottrop, Germany, two iconic public artworks, the whimsical blue worm sculpture known as the "Wurmling" and the pink pig sculptures, have undergone a meticulous renovation process. While specific details about the parties involved in the restoration have yet to be widely publicised, it is known that the project was a collaborative effort between several entities.
Bottrop, a city renowned both nationally and internationally for the Wurmling, created by artist Jürgen Goertz, and its array of pink pigs, has a rich history of public art. Over time, these works of art may require maintenance due to weather, vandalism, or wear.
Typically, public art renovations involve municipal authorities, cultural foundations or organisations, artists or their estates, restoration specialists, local contractors, and in some cases, tourism boards. In this instance, the city's economic development department, the Bottrop Marketing Association, and the Environment and Green Department were all part of the collaborative effort.
MC-Bauchemie, a company specialising in construction chemicals, provided a UV-resistant special product for the coating of the renovated sculptures. The process involved removing old paint using a high-pressure cleaner, followed by a labor-intensive repainting phase. The sculptures were carefully primed before being coated with the UV-resistant product.
To find the most current information about the parties involved in the renovation, it is recommended to contact Bottrop Stadtverwaltung (City Administration), particularly the Department of Culture or City Marketing. Local newspapers, press releases, tourism information centres, social media groups, and arts forums may also provide valuable insights.
As of last Friday (11th July), the repainted sculptures have been returned to their original spots in Bottrop's city centre. Guido Fockenberg from the Environment and Green Department emphasised gratitude for the cooperation, highlighting the successful collaboration that brought these iconic sculptures back to life.
In Bottrop, known for its distinctive public art pieces, the renovation of both the Wurmling and the pink pigs necessitated a collaborative approach involving the city's Economic Development department, Bottrop Marketing Association, and Environment and Green Department. Furthermore, the home-and-garden company MC-Bauchemie supplied a UV-resistant product for the sculptures' coating, returning these outdoor-living icons to their original lifestyle in the city center.
