“Mnemosyne” is the word. It means memory in Greek. Here we stand before Musenstein 7. It is one of nine Muse Stones along the Water Art Trail Mnemosyne.
The Water Art Trail Mnemosyne follows the Kaitzbach stream. The trail seeks to artistically highlight the Kaitzbach on its route through the city. You see, the stream is largely hidden from view.
These stones are part of an art project. It was organized by the Dresden Secession 89. The artist Christa Donner created these Musensteine in 2000.
Each Musenstein represents one of the nine muses. The muses are daughters of Mnemosyne in Greek mythology. Mnemosyne is the goddess of memory. She is the source of living water. She is also the mother of the nine muses. The name Mnemosyne means memory. Thus, she is a key figure for water, femininity, and art. Philosophy, mythology, history, ecology, and art all meet in her.
The art project started as Melusine in 1993. Melusine was a water spirit. These spirits embody feminine power and the force of water. In 1994, the project became Mnemosyne.
The Musensteine are sandstone blocks. Each has a face of a muse carved into it. This Musenstein 7 is one of the series. The stones are placed from the Kaitzbach source to Rathenauplatz. Rathenauplatz is near the stream’s mouth in the city center.
The city of Dresden supported the Mnemosyne project. The city’s Art Commission and cultural office helped. The Saxon Ministry for Science and Art also assisted. The project received an award from Dresden in 1996.
The Mnemosyne project explores our relationship with nature. It focuses on water in the city. Water has been pushed out of public spaces. It is channeled into supply networks. We mostly see water in everyday use. The Elbe River floods in 2002 made people think again. They remembered their cultural connection to water in the city.
The Water Art Trail has seven installations by various artists. Besides the nine Musensteine the Lichtung is one of them. You can also find the Echse and the Innere Mitte there. Wegsteine, Denkmal für einen Bach, Haltepunkte and Aqualux can be visited as well.
The Musensteine are found in different locations: One is below the Kaitzbach source. Another is near a small cave. Others are near a tunnel entrance and in the Kaitzgrund. You can also find them in Altkaitz, at Gostritzer Straße, and in Hugo-Bürkner-Park. Another is in Altstrehlen. The last one is on Rathenauplatz.
Take a moment to reflect on memory and water. Consider the muses and their inspiration. This Musenstein 7 is a reminder of art’s role in our lives. It connects us to nature and our past.