1000 Roses for Zweibrücken was created by the German artist Ottmar Hörl in celebration of the city’s link to this iconic flower. The German city Zweibrücken, which is known as the City of Roses is home to the Rose Garden of Princess Hildegard of Bavaria which is itself home to over 60,000 roses and 2000 varieties. Thus, as evidenced by the above stated nickname, the city and the flower have become indelibly connected.
In a large public square in the centre of town, 1000 red, plastic roses approximately 12 inches in width were arrayed in rows, perfect from several vantage points for one month. The large scale work was executed with the creation of conversation and community in mind for both the towns residents and simply anyone who visited the site.
The roses were later offered for sale as mementos of the iconic instillation. Speaking of the work, Hörl states, ‘Above and beyond its symbolic power, the rose thus becomes a ‘social sculpture’ in the sense of a stimulant for communication.’
Matt Davis is a Virginia Tech graduate and one of the founding editors behind Arch2O. Launching the platform in mid‑2012 alongside fellow Hokies, he helped shape its identity as an international hub for design innovation and critical dialogue . With a foundation in architectural education and a passion for uncovering unconventional design approaches, Matt has contributed significantly—both editorially and strategically—to Arch2O’s growth, ensuring that emerging architects, academics, and creatives have a space to question, explore, and elevate the built environment.