Roundabouts with attitude

"tension - energy" was the winning project in Rontal’s international traffic circle art competition. Greek artist Costas Varotsos won over the jury on 17 March 2008 with his unique, dynamic link between roundabouts K17 and K4. It is indeed a spectacular idea: an 18-metre tall, flexed steel spike will be erected on the planned roundabout K17 and a concrete hemisphere on roundabout K4, linked by a lucent cable stretched high above the road. The project outrivaled a trio of other competition entries from Australia, Great Britain and Switzerland; 53-year-old Varotsos was the only artist with the daring to propose linking the two roundabouts together. "tension – energy" is his bid to "highlight the economic and cultural dynamism that exists in the midst of the idyllic landscape of Rontal."

Next to its artistic raison d’être, "tension - energy" has to meet a further, overarching ambition. Rontal is currently in a phase of major change as a development hot-spot within the canton of Lucerne, and this is its first landmark. The Rontal cultural association, as initiator of the artistic competition, aims to establish a landmark that will give a face to the region and elevate it to prominence beyond the boundaries of Future Valley Lucerne. For juror and cantonal councillor Anton Schwingruber, it is a plan that symbolises "the upbeat mood pervading the canton of Lucerne".

"tension - energy" is scheduled for construction in September 2009, when the canton builds a roundabout at the road junction next to the D4 Business Center Lucerne. The work of art will cost 500,000 Swiss francs, which will come from private and corporate fundraising. The association has already received pledges of 150,000 Swiss francs, including 30,000 francs from the community of Root. More information about the fundraising at www.combyart.ch.

Learn more about the artist and the jury. more