During her 16 years as chancellor, Angela Merkel was seen as one of the greatest and most respected leaders of post-war Germany, and for a time she was even called “the most influential woman in the world.” Unfortunately, after her departure from the world of high politics and the assumption of office of chancellor by her successor – Olaf Scholz, the assessment of her rule became highly polarized, due to the current consequences of her past decisions, the effects of which Germany, which is currently experiencing a major crisis, is struggling with. However, apart from the issue of these ratings, another thing happened this week – with 3D printing in the background… Well, the monument of Angela Merkel sitting on a horse, which was printed from concrete on a 3D printer in 2021 – fell apart… Itself from oneself…
A statue of Merkel on horseback was unveiled in October 2021 at the Tempel Museum in Etsdorf, while she was still acting as chancellor. The sculpture was made using 3D printing technology from recycled concrete. She weighed one and a half tons and measured 2.7 meters. Its author was a German artist – Wilchelm Koch.
Initially, the monument worked perfectly, but in the spring of this year the first spontaneous damage occurred – the horse’s head fell off, and with it one of the chancellor’s hands. However, the pedestal was repaired and after a short renovation it looked perfect. However, on the night from Wednesday to Thursday (September 13/14, 2023), it fell apart completely. The damage is so serious that there is no point in repairing it… As Koch stated, the sculpture was not suitable for outdoor display.
There are commentators who see this event as a symbol of the collapse of Germany’s own policy, which includes the economic, energy, migration, infrastructure crisis, etc. etc. But we know that it’s actually the fault of 3D concrete printing, which we have never been a fan of…
Source: www.pap.pl
Photo: www.pap.pl (photo used only as a right of quotation in accordance with Art. 29. Right of quotation Act on copyright and related rights)