Verbindende Hände, Bronze monument in Gurk, Austria
This memorial comprises eight pairs of bronze hands joined in handshakes and arranged between marble elements on a natural stone base. The entire composition sits near Gurk Cathedral, positioned along a local cycling route.
This work was commissioned in 2009 following a notable event in the city's public life. Its creation marked a turning point in how the community chose to commemorate specific moments in its recent past.
The hands invite visitors to see a gesture of unity that people can touch as they pass by the cathedral. This direct, physical form of expression speaks to people without needing any words.
The monument is best accessed from Gurk's main street or the valley cycling path and remains open year-round. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes as the ground is uneven and the bronze hands are meant to be touched.
The artwork drew considerable public attention and faced opposition from various local figures when it was erected. This controversy transformed it into a symbol that reflects the tensions and discussions of its time.
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