Race Between Hare and Hedgehog: Speed vs. Cunning
The small town of Himmelgeist is set to welcome a new addition to its educational landscape, with the upcoming opening of a school campus expansion in the summer of 2022. This expansion, which includes two new classroom buildings, a gymnasium, and an enlarged schoolyard, will also feature an innovative artistic installation called "Coexistence" by Berlin-based artist Schuck.
"Coexistence" is an environmental art project that aims to raise awareness about local wildlife and their habitats. The design, which has been awarded by the Art Commission, encourages a harmonious interaction between the school's community and the natural environment in the Himmelgeist area.
The design incorporates visual cues inspired by native animal species and plant life significant to the Himmelgeist region. Large-scale drawings of field hares, sand bees, squirrels, hedgehogs, and water scorpions can be found on the walls of the new staircases and cafeteria, drawing attention to the biodiversity that coexists alongside human development.
The installation serves as an educational tool for students and visitors, encouraging inquiry and engagement with ecological topics related to local flora and fauna. It also symbolically represents balance and peaceful coexistence between humans and nature, promoting values of respect and stewardship.
Interactive features or spaces for reflection may also be included, inviting viewers to consider their impact on wildlife habitats and the environment, fostering a personal connection.
By placing this design in a visible and frequented area like a school campus, Schuck’s "Coexistence" aims to nurture environmental mindfulness among the younger generation and the community at large. It acts as a daily reminder of the importance of protecting the natural world and encourages collective responsibility toward sustaining local ecosystems.
The school campus, which has a history dating back to 1880, will also see the addition of up to 30 different animal habitats, such as birdhouses, installed on the facades of the new buildings. This expansion is part of the Art in Architecture competition by the Art Commission, which aimed to enhance and highlight the profile of the school through independent artistic designs.
As the summer of 2022 approaches, the community of Himmelgeist eagerly awaits the opening of the new school campus and the unveiling of Schuck's "Coexistence" installation, a testament to the town's commitment to fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and the natural world.
The anticipated scholar profile at Himmelgeist will transcend academic achievement with the integration of "Coexistence", an environmental art project. This installation, efficiently placed within the school's home-and-garden environment, aims at cultivating lifestyles rooted in ecological consciousness and harmony with local wildlife.
