De Saint Phalle, Niki

Niki de Saint Phalle, who was married to the Swiss artist Jean Tinguely, became famous above all for her oversized Nana figures. With their dancing movements, the mostly colorful female bodies radiate happiness and eroticism.

When three Nanas were erected on the Leibnizufer in Hanover in 1974, this initially caused fierce protests among the population and led to the first discussion about public art in conservative Germany. Ultimately, the Nanas provided the decisive impetus for an intensive debate about art as a form of everyday culture. Today, modern works of art such as those by Niki de Saint Phalle are part of our urban landscape and differ pleasantly from the colorless bronze or stone sculptures of earlier days.