A hall of art surrounded by nature, supported by 121 individually designed pillars created by famous artists from all over the world: Bernd Zimmer has been pursuing this idea and its realization for over 30 years. The volume is lavishly illustrated and documents its creation, showing all the artists' pillars in detailed individual photos.

It was back in 1990 on a journey through South India that, inspired by the pillared porticoes of the Hindu temples, the painter Bernd Zimmer had the idea of a project which has now been realised as STOA169, a permanent art installation in Polling, Bavaria. Artists from all continents were invited to design pillars which together support a roof. Together the pillars forms an art universe which stands for solidarity, international understanding and respect for nature.