A Botanical Theatre
The sculptures in the fountain basin show a plant in three stages of growth, from the first asparagus-like sprouts to the formation of the first curled-up leaves and the development of inflorescences, here enlarged and stacked to form a tower. At night, the pigments in the sculptures glow subtly. A rampant network of roots is cast into the concrete foundations. With these sculptures, the Danish artist Tue Greenfort translates his interest in a plant that has been spreading along the banks of the river Chemnitz for some time: the japanese knotweed. After its growth phases, it reaches a size of 3 to 4 meters. The overhangig, dense branches deprive smaller plants of sunlight, hinder their growth and push out the existing flora. Its fast-growing roots can damage foundations. Knotweed has a bad reputation in this country, but it also has unexpected abilities. The young shoots can be prepared like asparagus and are said to taste like rhubarb. The highly concentrated resveratrol in the plant is of interest in cancer research. Enormously fast-growing biomass can become the energy supplier of the future. But it could also be used to build furniture and houses and to bind CO₂. By juxtaposing sculptures and real plants, Tue Greenfort makes us reflect on a constantly changing environment and our relationship to it.
The sculpture is currently under repair.