A sign in German reading Smell all the flowers! stands by a flower bed in a park with colorful autumn leaves scattered on the grass. Trees with fall foliage are visible in the background.
Ticket shop

Wiesel's Beautiful Signs – When art invites you to smile

5 November 2025

A walk around the LUDWIGGALERIE Oberhausen Castle and the imperial garden It's worth visiting these days for several reasons: Not only the castle, art and nature await you here – but also small, exquisite messages that will bring a smile to your face.

A sign in a garden reads “Thinking of loved ones!” with an icon of a person and a thought bubble. Behind it are trees, flowers, and a pink building with white-framed windows.

Klaus Wiesel, Thinking of loved ones!, 2025 © LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen

Until the beginning May 2026 are they there Beautiful signs of the Oberhausen artist and graphic designer Klaus Wiesel to discover. His art project transforms everyday, often purely functional signs into lovingly designed "well-being signs." Instead of prohibitions or instructions, they offer positive impulses: Run a little way!, Think of loved ones!, Look up at the clouds! – small invitations to pause, to reflect and to smile.

 

Art meets everyday life – with a wink

“I want to show that even something as banal as a sign can be subjected to a new perspective,” explains Klaus Wiesel.Beautiful signs is an invitation to see the surroundings with different eyes.”

And that's precisely what they achieve: Through their clear symbolism, language, and form, the artworks blend harmoniously into their surroundings, transforming the public space into a place of encounter, inspiration, and lightness. As a welcome side effect, they enhance the quality of life around the castle and the Imperial Garden – an inspiring contribution to a vibrant open space culture in Oberhausen.

A sign on green grass shows a green circle with white clouds and German text reading Look into the clouds! Below is the name Weiss 2025. Some yellow and brown leaves are scattered on the ground.

Klaus Wiesel, Looking at the Clouds!, 2025 © LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen

From the “green lung” to the palace park

The idea for the Beautiful signs It was originally created as part of the exhibition “Art in the Hamborn Botanical Garden – The green lung is alive!”During a visit there, it became apparent Dr. Christine Vogt, director of the LUDWIGGALERIE Schloss Oberhausen, was enthusiastic about the project – and promptly brought it to the castle and imperial garden.

 

A community project with heart

The implementation was made possible by the Friends of the Ludwig Gallery Oberhausen Castle, who financially supported the project. A heartfelt thank you is due – because without this support, this public art project would not have been conceivable.

Four adults stand outdoors by a small tree, each holding a green and white sign with environmental symbols. They are smiling, and behind them is a pink building with white trim and trimmed trees.

Kerrin Postert, Jutta Kruft-Lohrengel, Klaus Wiesel and Dr. Christine Vogt with Wiesel's beautiful signs at the Great Castle © LUDWIGGALERIE Oberhausen Castle

 

Anyone who has become interested in the Beautiful signs You can also discover Klaus Wiesel online or learn more about him. a digital map with all locations and further information at www.ludwiggalerie.de.

 

  Dagmar Winkler

General