“Wynfrith felled me Herman raised me up” The golden inscription gleams. This is the *wynfrith me caesit – herman me recreavit* installation. Right before you stands a testament to art history and ecological awareness.
This isn’t just an oak tree surrounded by a wrought-iron fence. It’s a story etched in metal and rooted in the earth. Herman de Vries created this work in 2002 as part of the “hell-gruen” exhibition. The exhibition celebrated the intersection of art and nature in Dusseldorf’s Hofgarten. The installation was later moved to the Lantz’schen Park.
The seven-meter-tall oak tree is more than just a tree. It’s a symbol of nature’s resilience. De Vries chose the oak for its historical and cultural significance. Specifically the oak was significant in Germanic mythology and Christianity. The golden spearheads atop the fence are a further nod to this symbolism.
The inscription itself is a powerful statement. It references the legend of Saint Boniface. Boniface famously felled an oak sacred to the pagan god Thor. This act symbolized the conversion of the Germanic people to Christianity. De Vries’s work cleverly inverts this narrative. The felled tree is now revived raised anew. It represents a reconciliation between nature and culture a reminder of our interconnectedness. The artist himself is a prominent figure. He has explored the relationship between art and botany since 1953. He participated in Dusseldorf’s iconic “von hier aus” exhibition in 1984.
This work isn’t just about the past though. It is also about the present and the future. It’s a plea for ecological responsibility a call to respect the natural world. The *wynfrith me caesit – herman me recreavit* installation. It’s a conversation between art history and environmentalism. It is a reminder of our responsibility to protect and cherish the environment. The golden lettering catches the light. It is a silent conversation between past present and future. A conversation about nature faith and art.