Bergkamen

IMPULS

Maik and Dirk Löbbert (2010)

The light sculpture IMPULS stands at the highest point of the city of Bergkamen. It crowns the Adener Höhe on the Großes Holz slag heap. Artists Maik and Dirk Löbbert created the work in December 2010. Standing thirty meters tall, the column serves as a landmark visible from afar. The sculpture consists of a white-coated steel core.

A Rhythm of Light

The surface is equipped with a total of 14,400 LED lights. These are arranged in vertical lines, spaced about ten centimeters apart. As dusk falls, the lights turn on automatically. A special program controls the brightness. The light pulsates gently from bright to dim. This rhythm resembles human breathing. It has a calming yet vibrant effect.

Remembrance and New Beginnings

The artwork commemorates the era of mining. The pulsating light symbolizes the miners’ constant transition between working above and below ground. The artists dedicate the sculpture to all miners in Bergkamen and around the world. It is a memorial to the work done deep underground. At the same time, IMPULS symbolizes the region’s transformation. The work marks the beginning of a new era beyond coal mining. It stands for optimism and new possibilities. Fans often refer to the glowing column as the “lightsaber of the Ruhr region.” For many people, it is the first sign of home that they see from a distance. The light goes out every night at midnight during standard time and at 1:00 a.m. during daylight saving time.

Bergkamen

Light Sculpture "Impuls"