Prof. Oliver Fischer, Full Professor at the Chair of Concrete and Masonry Structures and Head of the Testing Institute for Construction Engineering, and Dr. Gerhard Lehrberger, Academic Director at the Chair of Engineering Geology, welcomed to the ceremonial presentation of the restored mosaic by Karl Knappe. Numerous guests accepted the invitation to see the important work of art in new splendor after its extensive restoration.
In her speech, Dr. Irene Meissner, Chief Archivist of the TUM Architecture Museum, paid tribute to Karl Knappe's artistic and historical significance for TUM. The versatile sculptor, who taught sculpture at TUM's predecessor, the former Technische Hochschule München, from 1930 to 1933, had to give up his work despite student protests. His work was considered critical of the regime, and he was not offered a professorship.
Dr. Gerhard Lehrberger traced the eventful history of the mosaic within the TUM, which was created in 1957 as part of a competition for the artistic design of the Materials Testing Office. Knappe won first prize, and the renowned Mayer'sche Hofkunstanstalt in Munich executed the work. After many eventful years, the mosaic has been restored and reinstalled in its original location.
Karl Knappe (1884-1970) was one of the most important sculptors of his time. In addition to the mosaic, another of his works on the TUM campus in Garching, seen from afar, is the sculpture “Steinerner Baum”. Knappe achieved international recognition with works for the World Exhibition in Brussels in 1958 and the memorial church in Hiroshima (1955-1963). In 1969, the TUM honored him with an honorary doctorate - a belated recognition of his artistic work and the injustice he had suffered.
The ceremonial presentation of the restored mosaic was also a sign of appreciation for an essential chapter in the university's history.