Category: Events

“THE WALL” an unusual school project

Following the public commission from the town of Leonberg to paint a portrait of “Sophie Scholl” for the Sophie Scholl School in Leonberg, I have now received another commission for a great school project. This time it’s the Ludwig-Uhland School, a combination of a primary and secondary school in Leinfelden. And this time it’s not about a realistic portrait of Diethard Sohn but about comic cubism, so this time ditArdo the comic cubist is in demand.



Acting principal Ms. Alina Hummel asked Janina Umgelter, the school’s art officer and primary school teacher, to find an artist to paint a 6 x 3 m concrete wall in the school together with the pupils.

Ms. Umgelter saw works by ditArdo the comic cubist at a small exhibition at the long art night in Leinfelden-Echterdingen and was enthusiastic about the works.
The title of her email was “Artists to schools” and the Ludwig-Uhland School is indeed always keen to initiate projects with external experts, including artists, gardeners and others. 

This is how the project “The Wall” came into being.
The city, represented by Mayor Dr. Carl-Gustav Kalbfell, was pleased to be on board to support this project. 

And I, ditArdo the comic cubist, am very much looking forward to this very unusual project.
A team of volunteers from all class levels is being put together. This was very well received by the parents’ council and I am also very happy about this mixed team:

Team Comic-Cubism

On 19.09.2024, 10 pupils from LUS who were particularly interested in art visited the “Showtime” exhibition by artists Diethard Sohn, Irene Müller and Hyunjeong Ko (Müller & Sohn + Ko) in Ludwigsburg.
The students had the opportunity to explore the artworks on display, learn more about the artists and their techniques and develop their own creative ideas.
The visit not only promoted an understanding of art, but also encouraged teamwork and exchange among the pupils. It also marked the start of an exciting LUS art project together with the artist Diethard Sohn (ditArdo the Comic Cubist). In the coming weeks, the children will be able to help design a previously very sparse wall (6 x 3 m) and thus contribute to the beautification of the school building.

Amtsblatt – Große Kreisstadt Leinfelden-Echterdingen, KW 40

Save the date: On 21.11.2024, at 16:30, the artwork will be unveiled as part of a vernissage. It will be opened by Mayor Dr. Kalbfell.

In the meantime, we are already getting down to business:

Pupils from different class levels are concentrating on their initial designs and sketches. The task was to draw an avatar or a symbolic image. Later, ditArdo will transfer these drawings into comic cubism and incorporate them into the composition of the mural. A real team work.

The transformation

ditArdo then worked diligently to transform the avatars into comic-cubist figures, which were then arranged into an overall composition.

Team Comic Cubism practices mixing colors to get ready for the wall.
NOW DITARDO TRANSFERS THE SKETCH TO THE WALL
Pupils are very interested and everyone likes the design. ditArdo answers questions and enjoys an attentive and engaged audience.
Later, when the surfaces are being painted, the team also gets involved again.
HIGHLY MOTIVATED EMPLOYEES ARE NOW HELPING OUT
Today, the first group of schoolchildren comes to help with the mural themselves. First of all, the floor is glued on as normal, and the cooperation in the Comic Cubism team works extremely well.

Signing in the end

ditArdo gave the pupils the task of designing their own signature. And since this picture was created by everyone together, the pupils were also allowed to co-sign it.

Comic cubism in the classroom

Parallel to the project “The Wall”, ditArdo’s comic and cubism and cubism are discussed in all classes at the school. The children create their own cubist and comic-cubist paintings, which can then also be seen in small exhibitions when the wall is unveiled.

The project is having an impact

More and more children are now interested in the project on the wall. The project is arousing curiosity and interest. Some children ask questions. Admiration often fills the room. Some of the children introduce themselves by name, others ask their teachers if it would be possible to go on excursions to art museums. It’s great that an interest in art is awakened in children here, some of whom are not necessarily confronted with art at home. It creates an incredibly lively interaction.

The exhibition

A stunning unveiling ceremony with exhibitions on the subject of comic cubism in all classes of the primary and secondary school.
The project is supported by the Mayor of Leinfeld, Dr. Carl-Gustav Kalbfell, and has also attracted the interest of a member of the German Bundestag, Macit Karaahmetoğlu, who has agreed to support future ditArdo school projects as patron. “The Wall” project.
The unique success of this project at the Ludwig-Uhland School shows that visual art is alive and well and also speaks and appeals outside the “white cubes”.
Comic Cubism is driven by love, so it touches young and old and connects people of different backgrounds and education. This painting manages to build bridges and thus enter into a socially relevant dialog.
I would especially like to thank Janina Umgelter, the school’s art officer, who supported this project with incredibly positive energy, Ms. Alina Hummel, the school principal, Dr. Carl-Gustav Kalbfell, the mayor of Leinfelden-Echterdingen and Mr. Macit Karaahmetoğlu MdB, who has agreed to take over the patronage of further projects of this kind from ditArdo, and last but not least, of course, all the pupils involved.

Press:

The Wall: Colorful colors instead of dull concreteArt project inspires students

(Original Text is in German)

Last Thursday, an exhibition with the artist Diethard Sohn was opened at the Ludwig Uhland School.

Together with the group of art students led by Janina Umgelter (left) from grades 3 to 9, he created “The Wall” – a six by three meter painting that now makes a dull grey wall glow with color.

“The project has inspired the whole school community,” said a delighted Headmistress Alina Hummel (2nd from left). Sohn praised the cooperation with the pupils, as did Mayor Dr. Carl-Gustav Kalbfell (r.), who would also be happy to see it continued in other schools. Member of the Bundestag Macit Karaahmetoglu (center) has agreed to support future school projects of ditArdo – Sohn’s stage name – as patron…

Link to the origin

Festive unveiling of the mural “The Wall”

(Original Text is in German)

In the 1990s, the artist Diethard Sohn turned his passion into his profession and created a new art movement that was strongly influenced by his…

Link to the origin