The city of Hamburg was founded in the 9th century at the mouth of the River Alster, a tributary of the River Elbe in Northern Germany, then used as a port. In 1190, the river was dammed to power a watermill; then, in 1235, a second dam was built to power another mill, thus changing the shape of the river into a lake.  Hamburg has two artificial lakes in the center of the city: Außenalster or Outer Alster, and the smaller Binnenalster or Inner Alster. These two lakes and the surrounding parks have become an important recreational area in the heart of the city. While Henry and I were visiting Hamburg, a twelve-foot-high floating aquatic artwork was being assembled in the lake. The sculpture, entitled Giant Mermaid was designed in three pieces by the Oliver Voss, an artist and advertising executive, the head of the advertising academy, Miami Ad School. The sculpture, with large head and knees protruding from the water, resemble a woman bathing in the picturesque lake. Many photographers captured the process of the mermaid’s assembly, while residents and tourists hired boats to take a closer look. The artist intended the sculpture to be a topic of conversation in Germany and to bring the people and the lake together*, while some of the residents opined that the figure “sullied their beloved lake”.

Note: Oliver Voss retorted to criticism of the piece: “the Alster is, after all, the living room of Hamburg ... of course someone should make themselves comfortable in it!”

PHOTOS: Top Two: 1. A canoe docked along the Inner Alster. 2. View of the Binnenalster or Inner Alster. Middle Two: 1. A couple canoeing on the Inner Alster Lake. 2. Some of the lake’s recreational boating and a cityscape of Hamburg. Bottom Two: 1.The head of Giant Mermaid by Oliver Voss., assembled in Alster Lake, remained on view for 10 days in August, 2011. 2. The head an knees of Giant Mermaid demonstrating the comfortable relationship of the inhabitants of Hamburg with their lake.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                        BACK TO MAP  PAGE