Flügelauto, Public art sculpture in Cologne, Germany
Der Goldene Vogel is a public sculpture featuring a Ford Fiesta fitted with large wings made of reinforced plastic, positioned on top of the Zeughaus tower. The piece merges the form of an automobile with the concept of flight, creating an unexpected visual above the city.
The sculpture was commissioned in 1989 to commemorate sixty years of an automobile company's operations in the city. Its installation sparked debates about whether such a work should be approved as public art.
The sculpture reflects how the automobile industry shaped this city's identity and appears in artistic expression. Visitors can observe how a commonplace object gains new meaning when transformed into an art installation.
The installation sits atop a tower and can be viewed from various points around the city, especially from near the historic center. Multiple angles around the surrounding area offer good vantage points for observing the complete structure.
Railway tracks were installed inside the engine compartment to properly distribute weight and ensure stability. This hidden engineering solution reveals how much technical skill was needed beneath this seemingly playful artwork.
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