Einstein Fountain

This fountain, located in a public space in Ulm, Germany, was created by sculptor Jürgen Goertz in 1984 and is entirely cast in bronze. The main structure is a rocket-like column, connected at the base to a pool to form a fountain, with water overflowing from the base.

The most striking element is the image of Einstein’s head emerging from the side of a giant snail shell: bulging eyes, a slightly open mouth, and a protruding tongue, directly echoing his famous tongue-out portrait, deliberately replacing the solemnity of traditional memorial statues with an exaggerated expression. The juxtaposition of the snail shell and the “rocket” creates a strong contrast between “slow” and “high.”

This Einstein Fountain breaks down the lofty narrative of a great figure with absurdity and humor, while simultaneously enhancing public interaction through the fountain, pool, and accessible scale. The natural weathering texture of the bronze surface from long-term outdoor display also allows the work to present a continuously readable historical layer within the city’s daily life. Arturban Statue can customize various fountain statues. Welcome to contact us for more details.