The iconic Red Man statue that has been perched on a rooftop at Kabutzenhof 21 in Rostock for 23 years is about to get a companion. Artist Reinhard Buch from Hirschburg near Ribnitz-Damgarten has created a new three-meter-tall Green Man sculpture that will serve as a counterpart to the famous red figure. The new artwork will be installed on a newly constructed office building at Kreuzgraben 3a in the Brinckmansdorf district.

For over two decades, tourists visiting the Hanseatic city have been delighted when they spot the red seated figure created by sculptor Reinhard Buch on the rooftop. Now, this beloved landmark will have a green twin that maintains the same artistic concept while offering a distinct variation in posture and positioning.

The Green Man project is being funded by the Mele BNI Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbh, a consortium formed by several companies specifically for this art installation and building construction project. Frank Zörner, managing director of BN Umwelt GmbH, one of the companies housed in the new building, serves as one of the commissioners for the seated figure.

"Art belongs to a building for me," Zörner explained, emphasizing the importance of incorporating artistic elements into architectural projects. Since there was insufficient space beside the building for a ground-level installation, the decision was quickly made to place the artwork on the roof, similar to its red predecessor.

The green sculpture is currently residing in the artist's studio but is scheduled to be transported to Rostock and lifted onto the office building by crane in mid-October. According to Zörner, a full road closure at the installation site should not be necessary during the installation process.

While the new Green Man shares the same basic concept as the Red Man, Buch emphasizes that the two figures are not identical. "It has a specific, different posture," the sculptor noted, explaining that the green figure maintains its own distinct seated position. Like its red counterpart, the new sculpture is constructed from stainless steel and sheet metal.

The color scheme of red and green carries special significance for the maritime city of Rostock. Buch explains that both are signal colors used for waterway markers in ship traffic, specifically from the harbor entrance at Warnemünde to the overseas port of Rostock. "Coming from the sea, starboard (right) is green and port (left) is red," the artist detailed, connecting the artwork to the city's maritime heritage.

This symbolic connection means that both sides of the Warnow River will soon be adorned with art in signal colors, representing Rostock's status as a maritime business center. Buch anticipates that during events like the Hanse Sail, both figures will be visible from the tall ships, creating a visual bridge between both sides of the riverbank.

The original Red Man, installed in 2002, was never intended to have a sibling when it was first created. However, the long-standing friendship between the artist and the commissioners led to the natural development of the Green Man concept. The rooftop positioning of both sculptures carries deeper meaning, according to Buch, representing entrepreneurial foresight and vision.

"The sitting posture shows body language that is both relaxed and powerful," Buch explained, while deliberately leaving room for viewers to develop their own interpretations of the artworks. This approach reflects the artist's philosophy of allowing personal connection and meaning to emerge from public art installations.

Reinhard Buch's sculptures already grace multiple locations throughout the Hanseatic city. Notable examples include the large "Liegende" (Reclining Figure) on Lange Strasse, the Blücher Stele on Rungestraße, and "Reife" (Maturity) at Stadtwall. While the sculptor has consistently created different works for Rostock over the years, the Green Man represents his first conscious reproduction of a similar artwork, marking a new chapter in his artistic relationship with the city.

The installation of the Green Man will complete a unique artistic dialogue across Rostock's waterways, with the red and green figures serving as maritime sentinels that celebrate both the city's seafaring traditions and its contemporary business landscape. The project demonstrates how public art can enhance urban development while honoring local cultural heritage and maritime identity.