Galvanised steel platform impresses visitors.

 

When an ericaviolet steel platform brings the Dortmund harbour to life with colour as part of the Ruhrtriennale 2016 from 13 August, ZINQ® plays a crucial role. This is not just a decorative piece – the approximately 10-metre-long platform will then be suspended from the crane in the SAZ steel processing centre's workshop hall, holding up to 15 people. Visitors to the art project „well,come“, which is already making waves in the media, will experience a sound and video installation within it.

A project by the artist collective osa – office for subversive architecture, which deals with the „flows“ in this world: data flows, goods and merchandise flows, people flows.
Anyone entering the container-sized platform, therefore, embarks on an audiovisual journey through the facets of globalisation. ZINQ and Osterholt Stahlbau GmbH from Castrop-Rauxel implemented it at top speed. There is a long-standing and trusting working relationship between Osterholt, a DIN EN 1090 certified company, and ZINQ. Thanks to this excellent cooperation, the tight construction schedule could be adhered to.

Designed by the architects of the artist collective osa, the task was now to implement the artistic idea within four weeks. „From the outset, it was clear that our duplex process would be used here. First, we hot-dip galvanized the steel platform in our powerful 17-metre furnace in Gelsenkirchen with duroZINQ®, and then powder-coated it in erikaviolet RAL 4003 in Castrop-Rauxel,“ explains Volker Hastler, Head of the ZINQ® Manufactory, detailing the workflow. Although the actual use of the steel platform during this year's Ruhrtriennale will only last 6 weeks, all stakeholders wanted high-quality corrosion protection for the striking steel platform right from the start. With hot-dip galvanizing followed by powder coating for corrosion protection, it can now easily withstand the elements for 100 years, even in other locations.

However, previously it had to be cut, welded, and screwed. This was the task of steel construction firm Osterholt. „This is also a special challenge for us, because the result – unlike in most of our cases – is not a classic functional part, but an artwork that is in the public spotlight,“ explains Managing Director Thomas Osterholt. With his strong team, the steel construction company transformed the paper designs into a steel giant within a few weeks. A dazzling object with truly extravagant dimensions, as Volker Hastler also confirms: „Even though I knew the measurements, I was still surprised by the actual impact and monumentality, considering that the side walls of the production hall at Osterholt are completely filled by this one component.“

From 13 August to 24 September, the sculpture will be on display in Dortmund Harbour, transporting visitors free of charge on their journey through the world of the currents. The architects constructed it, Osterholt built it, ZINQ refined it for the future. An exciting project. In Erika violet.