Malefix (Condition humaine), 1974

Malefix (Condition humaine), 1974

Felix Fehlmann (*1948)

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About the artwork

This work was created in 1973 as part of a competition for the artistic décor for the physics buildings designed by architect Allbert Heinrich Steiner. The iron sculpture by Felix Fehlmann is a three-dimensional, grid-like spatial structure made of steel reinforcement. The individual human beings are shaped from the same material with extremities made of screw heads that act inside the grid. This represents both an ordered technical cosmos and an inescapable prison.

Art Inventory ETH Zurich, Ki-00188

Factsheet

Steel reinforcement, screw heads
ETH Zurich, Hönggerberg, HPP building
Entrance hall, level E
Mon–Fri, 7.00–19.00

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Art Walkabout: Hönggerberg

Get the directions from here to:

Start from artwork – No. 5 Malefix (Condition humaine), 1974
Start with your back to the steel reinforcement sculpture
Continue straight ahead
Leave the HPP building
Bear right
Walk past the HPP building
Turn right around the corner
Continue walking until you reach the steps on the left-hand side
Walk down the steps
Continue along the path
The COR-TEN steel sculpture is located on the lawn to your left

Next artwork – No. 6

Figure X A, 1975

Start from artwork – No. 5 Malefix (Condition humaine), 1974
Start with your back to the steel reinforcement sculpture
Continue straight ahead
Leave the HPP building
Walk straight past the bicycle stands
Turn left into the small passageway
Turn right
Walk straight past the HPV building
Turn right when you reach the corner
Walk straight past the HPV building
Go up the small flight of steps and enter the HPV building via the door
Walk up the staircase on your left
The wall relief is right in front of you

Previous artwork – No. 4

Systematic Oscillations, 1973