The World of Appearances

Art and architecture as a world premiere

When MAIN TOWER, the headquarters of Helaba Bank, was being built in Frankfurt (architects: Schweger + Partner), we assisted with the launch of a major art competition centring on the building’s public foyer. The aim was to ensure that the passage from Junghofstrasse to Neue Mainzer Strasse would remain a vibrant urban space for many years to come.

The bank commissioned American video art pioneer Bill Viola to create a monumental video piece in the public space using natural light – the first of its kind in the world.

This piece (like all of Viola’s work) explores the universal themes of genesis and death, symbolised by the element water. ‘The World of Appearances’ can still be seen today and is a perfect example of living art in the urban space.

BILL VIOLA ‘The World of Appearances’

Artist: Bill Viola
Duration: 2000 – present
Location: Main Tower, Neue Mainzer Strasse 52-58, D- 60311 Frankfurt am Main
Photo: Kira Perov