Winged rhinoceros
The winged rhinoceros (also Dortmund rhinoceros ) is a rhinoceros figure with wings ( "Rhinoceros alatus" ). It was selected as the heraldic animal during the planning phase (2000 to 2002) of the Dortmund concert hall , whereby it should express two ideas: First: Although the rhinoceros is a very down-to-earth animal, it has a very fine ear and is therefore an ideal concert hall - heraldic animal. Second: The winged rhinoceros should give the Pegasus wings and stimulate new intellectual heights. So the spirit of the concert-goers on the wings of the rhinoceros should always have unimpeded access to art.
In 2005 and 2006 this heraldic animal was chosen for an art campaign in downtown Dortmund. Sponsors were able to purchase a basic version of this approximately 2-meter-long and 1.5-meter-high animal for 3000 euros and paint and design it in collaboration with local artists and youth groups. The finished rhinos were then set up in 2006 at prominent points in downtown Dortmund. At the height of this art action, there were over 120 life-size rhino figures in the city.
During the football world championship in 2006 , the city of Dortmund also made rhinos in the national colors of the nations playing in Dortmund and placed them in front of the town hall. These rhinos developed into a photo opportunity for the guests of the soccer World Cup.
After the end of the art campaign, the rhinos remained in the possession of the sponsors. Some are still in downtown Dortmund today. The rhinos in the national colors were auctioned.
Locations of the rhinoceros
Südbad
town hall
Wall
Concert hall
Foolish rhinoceros
German Football Museum , Dortmund / Rostow -Rhino by graffiti artist Friedrich Lohmeier
Comparable actions
Since the 1990s there have been similar campaigns in different cities in several countries, the most famous city activities are the Buddy Bears in Berlin , others: see animal parades .
