Mysterious sculptures on the Chemnitztal Cycle Path: What's behind them?

Mysterious sculptures on the Chemnitztal Cycle Path: What's behind them?

On June 21, 2025, during a picturesque bike tour on the Chemnitztal Cycle Path, two 72-year-old pensioners from Chemnitz, Rosmarie Rietzschel and Marina Mühlenhoff, made a special discovery. The two older women started their tour at Falkeplatz, past the Hartmann factory, to get some fresh air and enjoy the beauty of their homeland. During a stop along their route, they stopped to take photos of a unique sculpture called “Cyberfaun and Guardian.” To their surprise, they even unexpectedly met the artist who created the work.

This art moment is part of the larger art and sculpture path called PURPLE PATH, which excitingly embodies the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025. The PURPLE PATH connects the citizens of Chemnitz with 38 cities and communities in the surrounding area. With its idea of ​​creating a sustainably designed sculpture museum in public spaces, this project brings new impulses to the region. The concept includes locations in cities such as Mittweida, Schwarzenberg, Glauchau, Seiffen, Freiberg and Schneeberg, all of which are part of this creative network.

Artistic diversity and regional identity

The PURPLE PATH impresses with the large number of contemporary artists, including Leiko Ikemura, Monika Sosnowska, Jeppe Hein and Michael Sailstorfer, as well as important Saxon artists such as Jana Gunstheimer, Via Lewandowsky and Olaf Holzapfel. What is particularly noteworthy is that Chemnitz artists such as Johann Belz, Gregor-Torsten Kozik and Michael Morgner, who are often less well-known in the West, are also represented at the same time. Their works feature international artists such as Rebecca Horn, Daniel Buren and James Turrell and show the rich diversity of the art scene in Chemnitz.

Another highlight of the PURPLE PATH is the upcoming unveiling of the artwork “Above – With (or: A monument to the good spirits of my homeland)” on November 30th at Schillerplatz. Particularly exciting: This work of art by Osmar Osten is the 23rd one presented on the sculpture trail. It promises both a homage to regional traditions and a critical distancing from commercial appropriation of local identities, entirely in the spirit of the cultural promotion of the Free State of Saxony.

Art for everyone and a look into the future

The work of art on Schillerplatz, which is currently being redesigned, shows a fascinating group of figures with Erzgebirge nutcrackers, miners and angels as well as a snowman. Media representatives are also invited to the ceremonial unveiling at the end of the month. Mayor Sven Schulze and Stefan Schmidtke, managing director of the Capital of Culture program, will give greetings. Curator Alexander Ochs will introduce the work, while the artist himself will be present.

All of these developments show that there is a bubbling creative potential in Chemnitz that inspires both locals and guests. The PURPLE PATH is more than just a path - it is a sign of cultural connectivity that will continue to grow until it becomes the European Capital of Culture in 2025. With their discovery, the two pensioners have experienced a small but important part of this development and thus made it clear that art can be found in many corners of our city.

For more information and updates about this exciting project, it's worth taking a look at the website Chemnitz 2025 and Chemnitz.de.