This work reflects on the human condition and the delicate balance between collective responsibility and individual freedom. A radiant sun composed entirely of sculpted hands becomes a symbol of both warmth and communal power—a glowing emblem of what humanity can build when it acts together. In a time marked by global crises—climate change, inequality, political tension—the sun’s increasing heat becomes a metaphor for intensifying pressure. The piece asks: Do we face these challenges united, or are we drifting apart? From a philosophical standpoint, it evokes the duality between community and individualism. The interwoven hands call for a shift in perspective: from self-centered fear to a shared sense of purpose. True strength lies not in isolation, but in a collective where each person’s uniqueness contributes to a greater whole. Ultimately, this fragile yet hopeful sculpture serves as a wake-up call. It reminds us that the future is shaped not only by leaders or systems, but by every individual hand—joined in care, courage, and the shared responsibility to ensure that the sun remains a life-giving force, not a threat.

This artwork was featured in the exhibition “Surrealist Salon: Fever Dream”, curated by Olena Iegorova during Zurich Art Weekend in June 2025, where Anna Riess collaborated with Katharina Husslein.

Anna Riess is a multidisciplinary artist and cultural anthropologist based in Vienna. Her work explores themes of embodiment, emotion, and interbodily relations through materials like clay, metal, and textiles. Deeply influenced by her experience of motherhood, she transforms everyday objects into symbolic forms - one of her gestures she describes as the “nippelization of the everyday.”

Riess is the co-founder of the Clayground retreat and the creator of Circle of Clay, a workshop series she has led at institutions such as the Museum of Applied Arts in Vienna or the Hotel Kai36 in Graz. Her workshops invite participants—regardless of prior experience—to develop their own sculptural language through hands-on engagement with clay.

Her sculptural objects possess a strong visual identity and tactile presence, marked by a recognizable aesthetic and a willingness to push the boundaries of material behavior. Especially drawn to the tactility of clay, Riess explores how movement and fluidity can be captured in form—leaving the trace of the hand visible in its hardened state. With a strong interest in local materials and interdisciplinary exchange, her practice bridges artistic, social, and ecological concerns in both conceptual and applied ways.