A symphony of green whispers secrets. Before you stands De Civitate a living sculpture. It’s not just art. It’s a testament to time. A harmonious blend of nature and human design.
De Civitate in Münster’s Wienburg Park isn’t your typical bronze statue. Created by Maria Nordman it’s a sprawling land art installation. Planted in 1991 it officially opened during Skulptur Projekte Münster in 1997. The city of Münster owns this unique work. A private sponsor and Münster’s citizens helped fund it.
The heart of De Civitate pulses with life. Three types of trees create its form. Dawn redwoods Metasequoia glyptostroboides form two U-shaped rows. One faces north the other south. These mighty trees are complemented by Thuja occidentalis. They are arranged in geometric patterns creating walls chambers and sun-drenched spaces. Originally Ginkgo biloba trees filled one U-shape. However the marshy ground proved unsuitable. They were replaced by dawn redwoods in 2007.
Nordman’s vision extends beyond the immediate. The trees represent a global microcosm. Their origins span Asia America and Europe. They symbolize the dissolving boundaries between cultures and ecosystems. The trees’ growth and the changing seasons transform De Civitate constantly. It’s a sculpture in perpetual motion.
De Civitate isn’t merely about aesthetics. It explores the interplay of nature and culture. It questions the boundaries between inside and outside. Observe how the trees blend with the park yet simultaneously stand out. It’s a deliberate interaction between the artificial and the natural. This piece makes you question the definition of sculpture itself. It is alive and constantly changing. It is a truly unique work.
The work’s openness is striking. The arrangement allows light and air to permeate. People move freely through it. It’s interactive. Children especially love the chambers created by the dense Thuja trees. It’s a place of discovery wonder and contemplation. De Civitate truly embodies its name. It’s about the city. It’s about citizenship. It’s about the ongoing conversation between humanity and the natural world. It’s a living breathing testament to that enduring dialogue.