Harry Sachs – Park Sculpture in Sculpture Park
Landreform exhibition series, November 2008 - March 2009
The military zone dividing East and West Berlin was the largest park area in Germany during the time of the Berlin Wall. With the only visitors being soldiers of the GDR army, the park had clearly marked routes and a strict dog leash policy. Due to the extensive use of pesticides, the costs of maintainance were low. Lawn mowing and tree care were not necessary.
In the last 20 years, this green belt has received less monitoring and maintainence than in all of its time before. Once partitoned with unavoidable walls, it is now partly edged by fences and structured by random paths, along a spectrum of rank growth of diverse flora and fauna.
As part of the ongoing exhibition series, Landreform, this part of Skulpturenpark Berlin_Zentrum will be declared a public park. To increase the amenity values of the place, the existing matrix of trails will be extended by new footpaths, organically blending in with the existing landscape. The rank growth will be secured and cultivated by circular framing. For recreation and contemplation a new park bench will be provided. People are encouraged to further bed plants and to place additional park benches. This sculpture is dedicated to those who have spontaneously used and developed the land for the last 20 years.