The SMUGGLERS HEAD

In the context of his earlier research, about possibilities of sculptural morphing and transformation in dependence of the viewer`s movement, Ralf Sander observed the importance of the transformation for sculpture in general. Observing coastal rocks and the rock-bridges in particular he started a new inquiry about the importance of the empty space for spatial art. Following an international competition by the Mourne Heritage Trust, his proposal was selected for a shortlist of five from 76 participants and won. He used the opportunity to continue his research and to develop a large scale object as a under real condition. He made the first large sculpture of series that is based on inverted space. The strategy was important to achieve this effect of absence and presence at the same time. The sculpture is made in a technique that is usually used in concrete ship building and converted for sculpture. By coincidence Sander might have made the first memorial for the unknown smuggler. The impact on location, visitors and future planning is inquired at the moment in two PhD projects about public art.