A tribute to the connection between art and nature, between indoors and outdoors.
The renowned artist herman de vries is showcasing a selection of works created from and with nature in Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland.
The exhibition in the ENEA showroom, located in close proximity to the Enea Tree Museum, is dedicated to the fascinating interplay between interior and exterior spaces, as well as the close connection between art and nature—two central themes both in the artist’s work and in the philosophy of Enzo Enea, which is also reflected in the building designed by architect Chad Oppenheim.
Alongside a small selection of works from different series, a central focus of the presentation is a 24-piece series of earth rubbings. In these works, herman de vries uses his fingers to rub soil from various regions of the world directly onto paper, capturing the energy and essence of nature and making the diversity and primordial nature of the earth sensually tangible. Each earth rubbing is a testament to the uniqueness of the place from which the material originates and highlights humanity’s connection to the natural world. It is both astonishing and fascinating to see how different the earth’s colors are.
herman de vries uniquely integrates nature into his art. His works invite viewers to rediscover the subtle and often hidden beauty of the natural world. The artist’s task is to place found objects and materials in a new context, thereby casting them in a new light, making them experienceable. Since the mid-1970s, the trained botanist has viewed the forest and the world as his studio, using only the things that fall at his feet. He has always relied on the creative power of chance, seeing it as a crucial opportunity for change. "Chance & Change" are therefore key concepts on which he has built his entire body of work since the early 1960s.
The conceptual artist continuously reflects on the relationship between humans and the environment, creating art that doesn’t merely depict nature but makes its essence come alive.
This artistic intention is also reflected in the vision of Enzo Enea, the founder of Enea Landscape Architecture. As a landscape architect and creator of the world-renowned Tree Museum, located right next to the showroom, Enea emphasizes the relationship between humans, nature, and space. The Tree Museum, set within a 75,000-square-meter park, houses an extraordinary collection of trees that have grown over centuries and can be viewed as living works of art.
The exhibition in Rapperswil-Jona offers a unique opportunity to experience the connection between art and nature in an impressive way.
Visitors are invited to experience firsthand the holistic philosophy that unites nature and art.
The exhibition will be on view from September 28, 2024, during the opening hours of the Enea Tree Museum in Rapperswil-Jona.
Enea Tree Museum, Buechstrasse 12, 8645 Rapperswil-Jona
September 28, 2024 – December 14, 2024
Opening hours of the Enea Tree Museum:
March to October: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November to December: Mon – Fri 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | Sat 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Closed on Sundays and public holidays, as well as in January and February.
www.enea.ch
FS.ART - Enea shows herman de vries
