On July 7, 2025, the large-scale art installation “ECHO” at the Aggertalsperre was officially inaugurated as part of the REGIONALE 2025 Bergisches RheinLand. More than 50 guests from politics, administration, and the community attended the event.
The spectacular installation by the internationally renowned artist collective Boa Mistura from Madrid addresses the REGIONALE future theme “Everything is a Resource!” With its creative concept, it connects the elements of water, forest, stone, and grass in a new, sensually perceptible way. On the water side of the dam, the word “ECHO” was installed — but only half of it: the reflection in the water completes the word and makes it readable. This creates a fascinating interplay between art and landscape that changes regularly depending on the water level and sunlight.
“We were fascinated by the power of the landscape and especially the water in Bergisches RheinLand, which inspired ‘ECHO.’ It is a living artwork that connects with nature and is emotionally perceptible. ‘ECHO’ makes a statement, serves as a resonance space, and creates an echo. We are very proud to be part of such a relevant and important program like REGIONALE, which aligns perfectly with our vision to create something we have never done before,” emphasized Pablo Ferreiro Mederos from Boa Mistura.
A strong statement for sustainable resource management
Jochen Hagt, District Administrator of Oberbergischer Kreis and Chair of the Steering Committee of REGIONALE 2025, underlined the importance of “ECHO” in light of current environmental challenges and praised the collaborative efforts of all involved: “Especially in times when issues like climate change and resource management seem to be pushed into the political background, we are sending a signal here in Bergisches RheinLand,” said Hagt. “‘ECHO’ works on several levels: it reflects the element of water, creates resonance within the landscape — and ideally also with the viewer,” the District Administrator hopes.
The dam wall of the Aggertalsperre serves as the canvas for the artwork. Dr. Uwe Moshage, Board Member of the Agger Association, also expressed enthusiasm for the artwork and is pleased that the Aggertalsperre was chosen as the site for “ECHO.” “As an association, we depend on careful management of the landscape — so a temporary installation that artistically centers our resources is absolutely fitting,” said Moshage.
The letters of “ECHO” are up to 34 meters wide and 6.5 meters high. In total, the lettering stretches over 137 meters along the dam wall. The installation was executed by proud to print GmbH using a special foil technique applied to a dam wall for the first time in Germany. The foil is completely removable — dismantling is scheduled for spring 2026.
A REGIONALE thrives on making unusual things possible. “With the artwork ‘ECHO,’ we are staging the Aggertalsperre in a spectacular way. We want people in the region to develop their own connections with the term,” said Dr. Reimar Molitor, Managing Director of the REGIONALE 2025 Agency. REGIONALE 2025 invites people to engage with the topic of resource use amid an impressive landscape.
The opening was musically accompanied by jazz musicians Julian and Roman Wasserfuhr from Hückeswagen. With excerpts from their album “ECHOES – Sound of Home,” composed especially for REGIONALE 2025, they created an acoustic reflection of the visual artwork.
More information about ECHO at: www.regionale2025.de/echo