WEBVTT 1 00:00:08.040 --> 00:00:13.000 Michael Stoeber called me a multilingual artist, 2 00:00:13.040 --> 00:00:15.000 and I agree. 3 00:00:15.040 --> 00:00:20.000 I love exploring new frontiers. 4 00:00:22.040 --> 00:00:26.000 Art serves as its own end, 5 00:00:26.040 --> 00:00:32.000 and is thus very diverse and individual. 6 00:00:32.040 --> 00:00:38.000 The more different and free, the better it is. 7 00:00:47.040 --> 00:00:50.000 I wanted to study medicine, 8 00:00:50.040 --> 00:00:55.000 but my father persuaded me to go for architecture. 9 00:00:55.040 --> 00:01:07.000 So I did, majoring in painting and graphics. 10 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:17.000 This helped me obtain my chair 11 00:01:17.040 --> 00:01:23.000 which I further developed into experimental design 12 00:01:23.040 --> 00:01:29.000 at the technical university, which now is Leibniz University. 13 00:01:33.040 --> 00:01:41.000 Usually monuments rest on high pedestals, 14 00:01:41.040 --> 00:01:46.000 forcing viewers to look up in awe. 15 00:01:46.040 --> 00:01:50.000 My pedestal is at eye level 16 00:01:50.040 --> 00:01:55.000 and provides direct access to the information. 17 00:01:55.040 --> 00:01:58.000 One side depicts the binary system, 18 00:01:59.040 --> 00:02:06.000 the other Leibzig’s quote: “unity in diversity“. 19 00:02:06.040 --> 00:02:10.000 It seems to have some effect, 20 00:02:10.040 --> 00:02:21.000 as it is always surrounded by people interested in Leibniz. 21 00:02:25.040 --> 00:02:32.000 Professor Stefan Schwerdtfeger is awarded the Lower Saxony Cross of Merit. 22 00:02:32.040 --> 00:02:37.000 For over 60 years now he has been actively engaged in culture. 23 00:02:37.040 --> 00:02:40.000 The renowned Lower Saxony artist has done Lower Saxony’s culture 24 00:02:41.040 --> 00:02:43.000 and society a great service, 25 00:02:44.040 --> 00:02:47.000 especially with his sculptures in the public space. 26 00:02:47.040 --> 00:02:50.000 We are very proud of your achievements and very grateful. 27 00:02:50.040 --> 00:02:52.000 Congratulations. 28 00:02:52.040 --> 00:02:59.000 Not many artists have received the Cross of Merit. 29 00:02:59.040 --> 00:03:11.000 I am happy and proud to be one of the few. 30 00:03:14.040 --> 00:03:22.000 My advantage is that I never succumb to the zeitgeist 31 00:03:22.040 --> 00:03:26.000 but always follow my own trend. 32 00:03:26.040 --> 00:03:30.000 It’s what has given me great joy to this day. 33 00:03:30.040 --> 00:03:34.000 My workspace still is a place of creativity.