In the middle of Rudolf-Bednar-Park stands the sculptural representation of a monumental toe. For the duration of one year, it will be left to itself, or rather to the public. At first glance, it appears to be a static object, but in fact the toenail "grows" continuously. Leopold Kessler, whose artistic work examines urban life, human behaviour and the organisation of public community space, challenges the residents to decide how to deal with this growth.

"By cutting finger- and toe nails, one creates a seemingly timeless condition that can momentarily hide the transience of one's own body. Nails always grow, no matter how unsuccessful or successful one's life is at the moment, no matter how productive or unproductive. This stoic idiosyncrasy counteracts the notion of growth - e.g. economic growth - as progress. The monumentality of the Nordbahn Toe mentally transfers this context into the public sphere: The nail grows unimpressed by world events, by the luck and misfortune, success or failure of the community. The growth reflects the sheer passing of time in its merciless linearity.

An information board on the object indicates that anyone can work on the nail plate with an ordinary household saw and/or rasp. A motive for working on the nail on one's own authority can be the feeling of self-efficacy, to inscribe oneself in one's environment or to remedy a grievance. The desire to destroy is also an affirmation of self-efficacy: the nail plate can be damaged relatively easily, especially if it has not been cut for a while. However, while vandalism can destroy other projects in public space, here damage grows out of itself.

Rudolf-Bednar-Park is located in the middle of the Nordbahnviertel, a residential area in Vienna's second district that is still partly under construction. A tension arises between the seemingly eternal growth of the nail, the permanent production of a status quo and the provisional lack of history of the quarter. The object accompanies the residents for a year, so the impression of permanent growth can become imprinted and a routine of care, disturbance and growth can emerge." (Leopold Kessler, 2022)

Mediation

Regularly, a mediation meeting takes place on site. After an introduction to the project, the condition and growth of the nail as well as possible interactions of the residents are put in relation to developments in the surrounding urban space. Questions about the relationship between the individual and the community and the role of art in public space are discussed with an interested audience.