Nanas (Skulpturen)

Sweeping curves, bright colors: since 1974, the three Nanas Sophie, Charlotte and Caroline (named after Electress Sophie, Charlotte Buff and Caroline Herschel) on Leibnizufer have been among the most popular motifs in Hanover's streetscape. The voluminous sculptures by artist Niki de Saint Phalle were initially a thorn in the side of many citizens. The protest was followed by an intensive discussion about art in public spaces - with a happy ending: the people of Hanover have long since grown fond of her "buxom women". And in 2000, the artist was made an honorary citizen.

In gratitude, she bequeathed 300 of her works to the Sprengel Museum Hannover. With the Nana sculptures, Niki de Saint Phalle anticipated the burgeoning women's movement in the mid-1960s. Through the significance of the sculptures and the coherent alloying of form and content, she simultaneously reached far beyond feminism to a holistic view of life and art, which she gave shape to with her Golem House, architectural projects and films and most recently in her Tarot Garden near Grosseto. The Nanas formed the prelude to the Sculpture Mile, which extends to Königsworther Platz and comprises eight works of art.

On Saturdays, the focus is on haggling and talking shop around the Nanas at Germany's oldest flea market. From dawn until well into the afternoon, everything that isn't nailed down is traded. An absolute cult for strollers and bargain hunters!