“This is unexpected,” you might think, gazing upon this curious sight. A circular brick wall, enclosing a wild tangle of plants and trees. This, my friends, is the Sanctuarium Sculpture. Created by the Dutch artist Herman de Vries, it was a highlight of the 1997 Skulptur. Projekte in Münster.
The Sanctuarium Sculpture isn’t just a pretty sight. It’s a statement. A stark reminder of how much we, as humans, encroach upon the natural world. De Vries, a biologist himself, envisioned this space as a sanctuary. A place where nature could unfold according to its own rules, free from human interference.
Peer through one of the oval openings. Notice how the trees have grown, some reaching far beyond the confines of the wall? The plant life within the Sanctuarium Sculpture tells a fascinating story of resilience and change. Imagine, in the heart of Münster, a microcosm of nature reclaiming its own.
A Sanskrit inscription adorns the top edge of the wall. It speaks of nature’s inherent perfection, a message that resonates even stronger when juxtaposed with the graffiti on the outside. This contrast, perhaps unintended, further highlights the complex relationship between humanity and the environment.