Happy Birthday, Sandmännchen

KPM Berlin is celebrating the Sandmännchen’s 65th birthday and, in collaboration with rbb media, has developed a special edition of the iconic character—limited to 65 pieces—which was created by Gerhard Behrendt and has been appearing on television since 1959. The result: a handcrafted porcelain adaptation featuring the character’s unmistakable goatee, designed by Thomas Wenzel. In this interview, KPM’s chief designer tells us all about the creation of the iconic porcelain “ figure .”

The Sandmännchen just playful and childlike—he’s also an iconic figure who manages to touch and unite people across generations. I’m 61 years old, almost as old as the Sandmännchen ; during my childhood, he even brought us together across the East-West German border. It’s a beautiful example of how children can break down barriers. He has provided families throughout Germany with a sense of direction and structure—a moment of calm and reflection—and that remains unchanged to this day.

The craftsmanship that goes into the sets and characters is, of course, in line with our studio’s DNA. Just like us, “ Sandmännchen ” has retained its original character in the age of digitalization. Through the stop-motion technique, the craftsmanship, the materials, and the movement sequences become visible to children—they immediately understand the trick behind it. It’s a counterpoint to digitally produced children’s shows—which tend to feel very generic these days.Here at the “ KPM Berlin ,” too, we’re constantly reflecting on what needs to be preserved. That’s what sets us apart—and in today’s fast-paced world, it’s a breath of fresh air and pure luxury.

It was important to me not to distort the original beyond recognition. I wanted to give shape to the collective feeling and convey the gestures, movement, and rotation of the head in porcelain. Nevertheless, it should not just be a copy of the original. That's why I decided to gild the sculpture completely. First of all, this is a tribute to the 65th anniversary of the Sandman. On the other hand, it also turns the Sandman into an art object. The complete gilding turns the figure mirror that reflects the room. This gives the figure own physicality or, rather, creates an alienation that encourages the viewer to repeatedly try to grasp the surface and contours, which is never really possible. But that's not necessary, because the figure is anchored in the collective memory figure its iconic character. At the same time, it remains alive and always appears new in the context of the room.

The emotional connection I Sandmännchen to Sandmännchen is unique to me in my 30-year career. And actually, all of us at the workshop felt the same way—a shared sense of connection that brings back the carefree moments of childhood, which put a smile on all of our faces as we worked on it.

ATTENTION: Unfortunately sold out! The Sandmännchen , hand-painted with 24-karat gold, costs 1,980 euros. Click here to visit the online store.