Obelisk, Concrete monument in Treppenstrasse, Kassel, Germany
This obelisk is a concrete structure standing approximately 16 meters tall in Treppenstrasse, with inscriptions on all four sides. The simple geometric form creates a striking presence in the street.
The obelisk was created in 2017 by Nigerian-American artist Olu Oguibe as part of documenta 14 and originally stood at Königsplatz. It was relocated to Treppenstrasse in 2019.
The inscription from Matthew's Gospel 'I was a stranger and you took me in' appears in German, English, Arabic, and Turkish on its four sides. These languages reflect the diverse communities living in Kassel and their shared message of welcome.
The obelisk is freely accessible on the street and viewable from all sides. Its central location makes it easy to reach on foot.
The work forms part of a documenta axis connecting three locations across Kassel: the Himmelstürmer sculpture at the Kulturbahnhof, this obelisk, and the Fridericianum exhibition building. This spatial connection was created as an intentional artistic concept.
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