Art Karlsruhe 2012

Arne Quinze perceives his Stilthouses like human beings. They appear fragile and shaky, only standing on small, narrow legs, and they look as though they might collapse any minute. People possess the same fragility but also an enormous flexibility to adapt to any situation with which they are confronted. It is man's equilibrium that Quinze wants to represent with his Stilthouses. Although supported on thin legs, they keep standing; they survive in every context. An ideal Stilthouse is very tall, as people are always trying to reach and look further. These sculptures keep watch over their surroundings in order to safeguard their existence without taking on the disturbing connotation of surveillance.

Stilthouses strike the balance of protecting themselves while stimulating openness and bring different views and groups in society to the forefront. These are archetypes for people according to Quinze's analysis of how societies are shaped nowadays.