Born in Burgdorf (Switzerland) in 1947
He assisted for Jean Tinguely, Bernhard Luginbühl and Niki de St.Phalle and thus participated in many big projects. His ability in welding is useful also for his own artistic work. Since 1975 Wiedmer creates huge iron sculptures often combined with fire. Generally they are not as figured as the »Dragon« in the »Giardino«.
Paul Wiedmer and his family live unfar from Bomarzo in Civitella d´Agliano where he established a sculpture garden of his own.
Dragon
1998
300 x 300 x 800 cm
iron frame, ivy, gas
In spring 1989, Daniel Spoerri visited Paul Wiedmer in Cività d’Agliano and saw a large, fire-spewing dragon. Paul Wiedmer had ivy and wild grapevines grow over an iron frame, which conveys the impression of scaley skin. Perhaps this creature reminded Daniel Spoerri of a project with Jean Tinguely and other artist friends for the inauguration of the Centre Pompidou in Paris in 1977: the «Crocrodrome». At any rate, Wiedmer asked to install a similar iron monster in the Giardino. There, it skulks on the edge of a small clearing and welcomes visitors with flaming breath.
