
June 2022
an installation that is now permanent. Called a social sculpture, it consists of the artist having planted 7,000 oak trees around the city of Kassel. Beuys explains that the tree is an element of regeneration which, in itself, is a concept of time. He believes that the oak is appropriate because it is a slow-growing tree of solid heartwood. This undertaking was enormous in scope and at the time met with some controversy. To that, the artist said “I not only want to stimulate people, I want to provoke them.” He achieved his goal most effectively. Mark your calendars for Documenta, August, 2017! When I left home to visit Germany, I wasn’t thinking festivals or celebration or gaiety. I wasn’t thinking culture or art. Now, all these inspiring thoughts and feelings are aswirl in my soul. They’ll be there for a long, long time to come. .... |
