The sculpture for the Krauthügel, Wallach’s hitherto largest project, weighs a total of 200 tons and if aligned vertically its 320 meter perimeter would reach the top of the Eiffel Tower. Despite its monumental dimensions, DOWN TO THE GROUND is also intended to be experienced at a human scale. Openings at either end of the star allow visitors to traverse the sculpture’s inner space. Art historian Doris von Drathen describes the work as: “a composition, an open invitation to be explored physically as a place to sit down, lean on, or wander through, a designated space for emptiness, a framed lawn, an intensification of the celestial dome above, a dancing equilibrium for those who climb onto its edges, a place delineated and yet open, a topology of the non-territorial.”

Experiencing the installation on different levels is fundamental to the artist: “The movement of the visitors, and the viewpoint of their observations lie at the core of the work’s conception. The site of the work is not only the field, but also the space that unfolds between fortress, field and mountain. The conscious observation of the encompassing space requires the visitors’ physical movement. The expanse of the field and the height of the mountain combine with my work to render this space palpable.” (Paul Wallach)

Wallach’s sculpture was installed in March 2018 as the culmination of the Salzburg Foundation’s five-year “Krauthügel Art Project” and was realized in cooperation with the Bonn based Foundation for Art and Culture and St. Peter’s Archabbey, Salzburg.

Since it’s installation, the popularity of DOWN TO THE GROUND has been extended far beyond the confines of Salzburg by way of a dedicated live cam which beams a continuous live stream of the artwork throughout the world.

A time-lapse video, chronicling the installation of the work and its transformation throughout the seasons and times of day can also be found on this website.