In September 2024, artist Folke Köbberling initiated the art project “Mash & Heal” at three locations in Munich’s urban area. Large-scale replicas of SUVs were made from a compostable composite material and placed in the city center. As a critical commentary on the dominance of the automobile and the sealing of the city’s surfaces, the sculptures also served as indicators of the use of public space in Munich. At the three locations – Europaplatz, the corner of Herzog-Wilhelm-Straße and Kreuzstraße, and the corner of Schleißheimerstraße and Dachauer Straße – they were used in different ways: They served as shelter, experienced vandalism, or were cared for and preserved by neighbors.
After the vehicles decomposed in the city over a period of 12 months, the remains of the three composted SUVs will be brought together this fall in two processions, accompanied by the city’s residents, through the streets of Munich to a central location – in advance to the IAA Mobility 2025 motor show and of the premiere of BMW’s latest SUV. At Schleißheimerstraße 6, they will be combined into a new, green sculpture and ceremoniously interred.
“Mash & Heal” addresses the growing pressure that increasingly large and numerous cars exert on our public space. Given that cities are becoming more and more sealed and congested, Folke Köbberling transforms the SUVs into sustainable sculptures that aim to reclaim urban space for people.
Folke Köbberling, born 1969, lives and works in Berlin.
Closing program
Friday, 5 September, 7.30 pm
Mash & Heal – The Boiling Asphalt
Talk with Elisabeth Endres, architect/ Felix Lüdicke, landscape architect/ Rafael Stutz, landscape architect / moderation: Elke Falat, curator
Pinakothek der Moderne, Pavillon 333
Saturday, 6 September, 7.30 pm
Mash & Heal – The Healing
Talk with Adrienne Goehler, curator / Egill Sæbjörnsson & Ágústa Oddsdóttir, artists / Natalija Miodragović, architect / moderation: N.N.
Pinakothek der Moderne, Pavillon 333
The talks will be held in German. Admission is free.
Sunday, 7 September
Two Funeral Processions
each via Schleißheimerstraße 6 ccompanied by Express Brassband
11.00 am Europaplatz
11.30 am Sendlinger Tor, Kreuzstrasse 9
1.30 pm Funeral, Schleißheimerstrasse 6
Eulogy: Tom Biburger / Soundinstallation: Boris Jöns / Music: Theresa Loibl
2.30 pm Refreshments
#publicartmuenchen
