The German word "Lichtgestalten"  can mean real sculptures and forms filled with light and it is also a metaphor for humans who are "filled with light" and perceived as role models for others. 

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The project "Lichtgestalten" was a collaboration between the artist Katrin Hattenhauer and citizens of the City of Mannheim as well as members of the church community Konkordien.

 

The artist built the 12 light sculptures and the people of Mannheim contributed their "guiding-light-figures" - in terms of role models to the installation. Soon they were hundreds of those guiding humans like Vaclav Havel, Mohammed or the grandmother of someone placed at the specially for this purpose prepared billboards in the church. During the time of the project people met each other in the church and shared their stories about what guides them through their lives. Who are the humans we remember and for what.