The initiative / The idea

This was the trigger for the start of our initiative „Dein Brunnen für Münster“. The work was to be purchased with broad civic participation and permanently preserved for the citizens of Münster. As a sign for peace and tolerance, for an open and colorful society.

From then on, everything happened very quickly ... We quickly got into conversation with Kasper König and the curators of the Skulptur Projekte and had a direct exchange with the artist, who was enthusiastic about the idea and has accompanied us closely ever since. Making the initiative known triggered an incredible sense of community in Münster society, and so many supporters were found within a very short time. In the meantime, a circle of friends has developed that accompanies our work to this day and continues to grow.

Our intention has mobilized the citizens of Münster in a unique way to stand up for diversity, tolerance and a peaceful coexistence of people of all origins, gender and sexual orientation. In the truest sense of the word „on the street“, the members of the association entered into dialogue with the citizenry and promoted their project. At neighborhood and street festivals, at art exhibitions, the „Langen Nacht der Museen“, a self-organized „Bergfest“ and several unconventional actions. Additional donations were collected in a large lottery. Many Münster companies spontaneously got on board and sold products for the benefit of the association or sponsored advertising material. With fountain beer, fountain rolls, fountain pesto, „fountain dishes“ in restaurants, a film screening and much more, donations were generated. These activities characterized 2018 and brought in about half of the donations needed.

The artist accompanied the initiative very closely from the beginning. She supported the fundraising, for example, with a specially made „logo“ showing the head of one of the figures of the fountain ensemble, and with the design of a T-shirt. In 2019, she gave the association an edition of an etching, „The Münsterians“ in an edition of 70/100, which was sold out within a few days.

Touched by this extraordinary civic commitment, the artist and gallery generously accommodated the initiative in the summer of 2018 and waived fees. This halved the purchase price of the artwork from 1.2 million to 600,000 €. This decision once again provided a decisive motivational boost for the citizenry and further filled the donation pot. Parallel to this and well into 2019, the elaborate applications to funding institutions, foundations, the city of Münster and the state of NRW were on the agenda in the background. These covered approximately the second half of the required amount. The council resolution on June 24, 2020, then decisively confirmed the return of the artwork to its old location on the Kreuzschanze.

Nicole Eisenman, in a phone call after the Council decision, was deeply moved and overwhelmed by the final success of the initiative.

From August to September 2021, the fountain at the Kreuzschanze was built with the great support of many Münster companies under the direction of the architectural firm Maas & Partner and the Kusser Granitwerke. In parallel, the Kayser art foundry created the three new, white patinated aluminum figures. The artwork „Sketch for a Fountain“ has been transformed into a permanent work - as close as possible in content to the design of 2017. It has been created a unique piece for Münster, which in terms of material differs from the original way of making, but in terms of content links to Eisenman's original idea and continues it. Only in Münster, at the original place of installation, there are the manifold local references of the sculpture. (There are two other fountains by Nicole Eisenman in Boston, USA and in the Nasher Museum, Dallas, USA. However, these are entirely bronze works and differ in appearance).

Am 2. Oktober 2021 wurde das Kunstwerk gemeinsam mit den Bürger:innen der Stadt Münster feierlich eröffnet.