Folke Köbberling – Maaaaash!

An off-road vehicle stands on a a piece of meadow right next to a busy traffic artery – muddy brown, as if it were completely covered in mud. It is an irritating yet familiar object in an urban space dominated by traffic.
Maaaaash! is a 1:1 replica of a luxury off-road SUV, which Folke Köbberling modelled directly from the original vehicle. The title of the work – Maaaaash! (to trample, crush, mix) – refers to the production of the material, a bio-based composite developed by the artist herself. Exposed to the elements, the sculpture slowly begins to rot and, unlike the original vehicle, provides space and nutrients for plants and microorganisms.
Folke Köbberling’s artistically formulated social criticism is directed against the waste of resources, soil sealing and neoliberal profit-seeking. Maaaaash! is a scathing commentary, a poetic act of protest against the dominance of the automobile and the land consumption of status symbols.

Maaaaash! is a contribution by KÖR Wien (Public Art Vienna) to the 2026 Klima Biennale Wien and part of the exhibition “(No) Funny Games”.