Art in Basel - Helvetia on the road
Greetings Steemians
In today's post I would like to bring one of the many publicly accessible artworks in Basel to your screens, called Helvetia auf Reisen (Helvetia on the road).
Helvetia is a female figure and allegory who symbolizes the Swiss Confederation. Since the foundation of the Swiss federal state, she has been stamped on the Swiss franc coins in her typical appearance with spear and shield:
Helvetia minted on the Swiss 1-franc coin
The Bale artist Bettina Eichin had the idea of freeing Helvetia from her permanent solidification and created the sculpture Helvetia auf Reisen.
Now she sits on the Mittlere Brücke in Basel, having put aside spear, shield and suitcase. She seems tired from her journey and looks down the Rhine, deep in thoughts. A complex counter proposal to the glorified yet impersonal national icon.
No matter where one stands, it's impossible to catch a glimpse on Helvetia's face. This creates a special fascination since here actual mood is left to the observers imagination.
Thanks for watching and 'til next time!
Shaka
Swiss Franc Coin Isolated on White, taken from my personal Adobe stock account. All other photos were recorded by myself with an iPhone 6S.
Thank you for posting @shaka.
What a lovely subject.......such beautiful, artistic, thought provoking photographs with a history as well.....it does not get much better than that....does it?
Wishing you all the best.
Cheers!
the Daily "Spotlight"!
Thanks for this little insight into the history of Switzerland, @shaka :) I have always known Switzerland is referred to as the "Country of the Helvetian Cross" but never really known the story behind that or who Helvetia was. Now I know! :)
Thank you! So, this is Helvetia and her story! I used to see her name on stamps on envelops as a child. My dad had lots of letters from Helvetia! Now I know it’s from Switzerland. I thought it was a country named Helvetia!!
Cheers.
Actually, Helvetien is also used as a name for Switzerland.
Thank you very much! I thought that Helvetia country was very beautiful with pictures of mountains and lakes on those stamps!
Cheers.
I have been told that Switzerland is a very clean city, this shots that you share today are very beautiful, in my virtual journey in addition to admire so much beauty I have also cultivated with the explanations and stories that you have done in each of your different publications, instants wonderful that if not through this network, I would not get to know once I had the opportunity to see that coin coined with the image of Helvetia, and that sculpture shows that they took her out of a cold place, they take her to see her as human he has already reached the twilight of life, and now he rests in Mittlere Brücke in Basel as if to say he fought for everything he owed now, only the eternal rest is left and he places his arms and shield in resting position. Excellent story and beautiful shots, I have the question why is not visualized face? grateful for teaching me a new knowledge. greetings | @shaka
I think you captured nicely the essence of this artwork, it's the transformation of an Icon into an actual human.
I have only spent a few days in Basel but there are some nice sights around the area and because the oldtown is quiet in the evenings, some good photo opportunities. Not far from the bridge is a good view of the river from a lookout next to a church on a ridge. Enjoy walking the hills :)
Maybe you mean the platform behind the Minster. That is indeed a great spot to get an impression on how the city is laid out along the Rhine.
That is the place. :)
That sculpture is really fascinating, it fits so well to the picture of the bridge, the whole appearance gives me impression that the figure is just would like a moment for itself but I have a feeling that she is thinking of may be jumping down into water. I am just wondering was there any incidents of people jumping from that point into water?
It's a bit difficult to see on the photos, but if one would jump from where Helvetia sits one would hit the road, not the water. However, sometimes people jump from the Mittlere Brücke in the Rhine for fun. Drop height is around 10 m or so. So it's doable.
Dear Shaka,
perfect photographs with breathtaking perspectives. It's exciting to see the city from your point of view. I came to your page by chance. I am happy for this Thank you for your excellent photo shoots and fluent travel article. Quite successful!
I'm sorry for my bad english
Tolle Bilder einer tollen Stadt. Und wie ich sehe hat der Rhein fast kein Wasser mehr... Schifffahrt eingestellt?
Toller helvetischer Bericht von Dir?
danke aus der weiten Ferne!
Stimmt, der Pegel ist recht niedrig. Ist mir gar nicht aufgefallen. Schiffe fahren aber noch.
Hi @shaka , sehr schöne Bilder , danke fürs teilen . Der Helvetia fehlt nur noch eine Angel in der Hand :-)) Ps Abo ist raus . lG unsuwe