Sanctuarium, Cultural heritage sculpture in Stuttgart, Germany
Sanctuarium is a circular steel rod installation in the Leibfried Garden with approximately 170 rods forming the boundary. The structure creates an enclosed area where plants grow freely over the seasons.
Dutch artist Herman de Vries created this work in 1993 for the International Garden Exhibition in Stuttgart. The piece represented a new approach to how public art could interact with nature and growth.
The installation marks off a space where plants are allowed to grow wild and change over time without human control. The golden tips on the steel rods catch light and draw attention to the boundary between cultivated garden and protected nature.
The installation sits in the northwestern section of the Leibfried Garden and is accessible by multiple pathways. Be aware that wheelchair access to the site can be challenging due to the garden terrain.
The thick plant growth inside the rods sparked conflict between garden managers and the artist's vision when authorities trimmed back the vegetation. This tension between wildness and control reflects the core idea of the work itself.
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