Blickfang

A work of art begins to live the moment it captures our gaze. The sculpture “Blickfang” is a deliberate staging of perception. Here, Daniel Bucur has created a center that acts like an optical lens — a point where light converges and the viewer’s attention comes to rest. Amid the vivid grain of the wood, this central shaping forms an almost magnetic focal point.

Bucur plays with human curiosity. In this case, “Blickfang” does not mean merely looking, but truly observing. The delicate guidance of the lines around the focal point keeps drawing the eye back to the center of the sculpture. It is an invitation to study the details of the wood, its history, and its structure with full attention. In a world often shaped by visual overstimulation, this “Blickfang” offers clarity. It reminds us how important it is not to lose focus and to recognize what is essential within the details. A work that brings order to the space and offers the guest’s eye a secure anchor.

More sculptures

Wesenskern

What truly defines us — the protective shell we show to the world, or what lies hidden deep within us? The sculpture “Wesenskern” is a profound meditation on human existence. From a dark, almost archaic-looking shell, a bright, delicate core emerges. It is a radical contrast of colors and textures that symbolizes the duality of our existence.

Here, Daniel Bucur makes the invisible visible. While the dark exterior of the stele stands for resilience, protection, and the experiences of life, the bright part symbolizes innocence, purity, and the true essence that rests untouched at the center. “Wesenskern” invites the viewer to look beyond the façade. It is a plea for truthfulness: only when we are willing to bring the inner self outward does the full beauty of character unfold.

This sculpture at the Hotel am Stephansplatz is a silent monument to self-knowledge. It invites guests to reflect on their own inner core and to admire the strength that arises when light and shadow meet in perfect balance.

Torweg

A gateway is far more than a mere opening in space; it is an invitation to transition, to a change in perspective. In the sculpture “Torweg”, Daniel Bucur creates a monument to passage. From a massive, earthbound trunk, the artist has carved a powerful opening that directs the eye not only to the wood itself, but also to the space beyond it.

This work explores the connection between the here and the there. The solid wood symbolizes the threshold, permanence, and protection, while the opening represents freedom and the new. “Torweg” invites the viewer to shift perspective: What do we see when we look through the material? The precise guidance of the edges contrasts with the lively grain of the wood, creating an architectural tension. In the context of the Hotel am Stephansplatz, this “Torweg” reminds us that traveling always also means entering new spaces and opening oneself to the unknown. It is a symbol of openness and the courage to cross boundaries without losing one’s own roots.

Aufwind

Lightness is not something naturally inherent in wood; it must be liberated by the artist. In the sculpture “Aufwind”, Daniel Bucur shows how a sense of floating can emerge from heavy timber. The form twists dynamically upward, while the striking openings in the material — a variation on his “Guckloch” theme — allow space and light to seem to breathe through the sculpture itself.

“Aufwind” explores that moment of uplift when one sheds ballast and turns toward new horizons. The curved edges and flowing lines imitate the movement of invisible air currents. It is a work full of optimism: the openings symbolize openness to new perspectives and the transparency of the mind. For the viewer, the sculpture becomes a symbol of inspiration and the courage to free oneself from the weight of everyday life. In the spaces of the Hotel am Stephansplatz, this “Aufwind” creates an invigorating accent that invites guests to let their thoughts take flight and to celebrate the freedom of the spirit.