Emil Kräß worked at the Minster's stonemasons lodge in Ulm for 38 years.
In November 2024 the Minster's longest-serving stonemason put down his mallet and retired. Admittedly, this does not keep him from continuing to use hammer and chisel. Besides his job the stonemason from Holzschwang developed his very own artistic way of working with sandstone and limestone.
Kräß, who has been a member of the Neu-Ulm based artists' collective Kunstbauraum and the Kunstverein Senden for years, creates imaginative works of art - mainly using stone, but also metal or wood. Most astounding about his sculptural work is that you often will not recognise it is a piece of art at first glance. There is a suitcase with metal clasps and leather patches, and you will only realise that it was sculpted from stone, once you try lifting it. There is a stone pillow on a chair, and next to it a black coat on the wall, which only reveals that it is made of stone when you touch it.
With works of art like this Emil Kräß keeps confusing visitors. Furthermore he presents pieces at the Stadhaus highlighting his artistic skill of working with stone: chain links or one half of a peach made of stone.
In addition, the exhibit will present some photos by Ralf Just.
Curated by Dr. Raimund Kast
Kräß-like special event: Sun 11 May 2025, 7pm - 9pm, with Emil Kräß, the storyteller Ramona Wunderlich, and the French rock duo Flawi