The Protestant Church on Karlsruhe’s town square was built in the 19th century and is designed according to the principles of a Roman temple. By projecting bark structures onto the columns, reference is made to the original colorfulness of ancient architectures and sculptures (known as “polychromy”), addressing the supposedly purely white coloration of Roman antiquity.
The title sleeping trees refers to research findings from the Finnish Geospatial Research Institute. Using laser scanning technology, it was determined that leaves and branches continuously lower from dusk, reaching their lowest position a few hours before sunrise.
Accompanied by an associated sound piece accessible via QR code, the work initiates a multifaceted interplay between harmony, disruption, and convergence, raising questions about our future. In this way, sleeping trees carries the once inseparable connection with nature and its power to the central marketplace and thus into the heart of urban society.
Idea & artistic concept: Alex Besta
Video/Realisation: Alex Besta, Tibor Pilz
Sound: Alex Besta, Philippe Mainz
Supported by the UNESCO City of Media Arts Karlsruhe Project Funding Program for Media Arts 2023.
Shown at Media art is here (2024) with kind support of the Stober Stiftung.
Time: 15.08.2024 – 15.09.2024, daily from 8 p.m.
Location: Stadtkirche Karlsruhe, Marktplatz