Kröte aus Beton

Kröte aus Beton sits on the Inselcafé terrace in Potsdam, with its wide mouth facing visitors. Rainer Sperl created the concrete toad in 1987. Its grey, hollow body rises from a wire framework covered with sprayed concrete and shaped by hand. Blue ceramic pieces form the mouth, eyes and warts across its rounded back. Bent hind legs give the animal movement, while its large blue eyes create a cheerful expression. The open mouth resembles a blue carpet rolling towards you.

The toad once stood with a bird and a worm on a playground farther east. During the redevelopment of Freundschaftsinsel for BUGA 2001, workers moved the toad to the Inselcafé terrace. The worm could not survive relocation without damage and was discarded. Children can use the broad mouth as a slide and the rounded back as climbing support. Colourful ceramic warts provide handholds, making the humorous animal both artwork and play object. Its playful construction was part of Sperl’s intention from the beginning.