In 2025, a "Fischelant" was found in a garage in Chemnitz that produced gold from manure. This incredible story attracted hundreds of visitors to the garage courtyard in Theaterstraße during the Capital of Culture year, where the discovery was made. They were able to feed the maw of the "Fischelant" with a small shovel full of horse manure, were spit out a few grams of gold shortly afterwards and were allowed to take this treasure home with them. Artist Cosima Terrasse devised and realised this interactive art installation as part of the Chemnitz 2025 project #3000Garagen together with garage users. From May to October 2025, the "Fischelant", which nobody knows whether it is a machine, car or living creature, could be experienced by those who were able to get one of the coveted slots for gold production, otherwise it remained invisible.
The mysterious "Fischelant" has now moved to a special garage, the former Chemnitz multi-storey car park built in 1928, which now houses the Museum of Saxon Vehicles. Although the creature no longer produces gold, it can be viewed in the museum until the end of 2026, where it is on display in the historic lift.
The artist Cosima Terrasse has made a film about the creation of the "Fischlant" as part of the Capital of Culture project #3000Garagen.
