Gerhard Richter's Strip Tower Sculpture Transforms Swiss Alpine Landscape

Gerhard Richter's Strip Tower (962), a cruciform sculpture covered in glazed ceramic tiles, debuted in January at Lake Silvaplana in Sils Maria, Switzerland. Installed by the Luma Foundation as part of its Elevation 1049 program, which promotes site-responsive art in the Alps, the work will remain on view through spring 2029. The vibrant, supersaturated structure initially contrasted with the monochromatic winter landscape but is designed to evolve with the seasons, its bright hues extending outward as spring brings open water and blooming flowers. Richter, a German artist, has had a long-term relationship with Sils Maria since his first visit in 1989, appreciating the reflective mood of its majestic scenery. He hopes the artwork will inspire repeat pilgrimages from viewers. The sculpture's creation involved the passing of time and repetition: Richter developed it from his 2010 Strip Paintings series, which originated from photographing, scanning, and manipulating a painting from the 1990s, abstracting the past into vertical strips to create something new. The piece reflects themes of temporal change and artistic reinvention within the alpine setting.