Reflecting gardens Installation

Amidst the vibrant tapestry of Berlin’s Gardens of the World, the Reflecting Gardens installation beckons. This surreal landscape of mirrored steles, crafted by Danish artist Jeppe Hein, invites you on a journey of self-reflection. The Reflecting Gardens stand directly in front of the visitor center on Blumberger Damm. They were unveiled in 2017 as a permanent installation for the International Garden Exhibition. As you approach, your image appears, fractured and multiplied, in the polished stainless steel and aluminum surfaces. The Reflecting Gardens installation is designed as a mirror maze, cleverly arranged in three lines of triangular lamellae. These lamellae are strategically spaced, creating a circular, concentric effect that draws you in. The installation’s footprint is inspired by the graceful overlap of three leaves. Notice how the height of the lamellae varies, rising as you move inward, creating an ascending form. You can enter this intriguing space from three different points, the gaps between the lines providing ample room to navigate. The Reflecting Gardens play with your perception. As you move, your reflection shifts and changes, juxtaposed against glimpses of the surrounding parkland. This interplay between reality and reflection creates a disorienting, almost labyrinthine experience. It’s a kaleidoscope of images, a world where identities blur and perspectives shift. The surrounding greenery of the park envelops you. It’s as if you’re standing in a room within a garden. This immersive experience heightens your awareness of the natural world, offering an uncommon perspective on the Gardens of the World. The installation also fosters unexpected dialogues with others as you navigate the mirrored surfaces together. This was Hein’s first publicly accessible artwork in his adopted city of Berlin. The Reflecting Gardens serve as a unique guide for reflection, prompting you to examine yourself and your environment in a new light. They offer a playful distraction from the more traditional garden paths, adding a touch of the surreal to the natural beauty of the Gardens of the World.