STOA169
The Artist Columned Hall
A temple of art—individual and yet universal. In 1990 on a journey through South India, the painter Bernd Zimmer was inspired by the pillared porticoes of the Hindu temples and conceived the idea for a hall of art surrounded by nature, supported by 121 individually designed pillars created by famous artists from all over the world. Together the pillars would support a common roof and form an art universe that stands for solidarity, international understanding, and respect for nature. Zimmer has been pursuing this idea and its realization as STOA169, a permanent art installation in Polling, Bavaria, for more than thirty years. This lavishly illustrated volume documents its creation, showing all the artists’ pillars in detailed individual photos.