Events in March

 

 

Guided tour in English

22nd of March, 6:30 pm

 

„Herbarium I“ –  Drawing plants

23rd of March, 4:30 pm
We use the medium of drawing to observe a plant in Merkelpark more closely and to depict its individual characteristics in its uniqueness.

 

Dr. Ellen Maria Wagner: Flower pictures between science and art

24th of March, 11 am
For female artists of earlier centuries, flower painting or the depiction of plants was often a way of combining botanical and painterly interests – at a time when both academic art training and the natural sciences were only accessible to men. Based on individual positions from Maria Sybilla Merian to contemporary works, the lecture explores
the question of how different medial translations of the plant into art enable a special view of the relationship between humans and nature.

 

 

Events in April

 

Reading circle

4th of April 2024, 6 pm
Joint reading of texts that relate to the themes of the exhibition and reflect the human relationship to plants in literature.

 

Family tour

6th April, 3 pm

Child-orientated exploration of the exhibition themes in the Villa Merkel and the Merkelpark

 

Herb tour through the Merkelpark

7th April, 12 pm

Exploration of selected plants in the Merkelpark with explanations of their abilities and their effects on humans. We will also hear some
tales and legends about the plants.

 

Comic-Workshop Pflanzenwelten

12th April, 5 to 7 pm

 

Conzert Flora

13th April, 7 pm

 

Yoga

14th April, 11 am

Yoga exercises that focus on perception and draw attention to the artistic works in the exhibition.

No previous experience necessary. Yoga mat required.

 

Botanical dialogue tour through the Merkelpark

17th April, 5 pm

Exploration of the plant networks and tree population in the Merkelpark with a staff member of the Esslingen Parks Department and curator Julia Katharina Thiemann

 

Prof. Dr. Pierre L. Ibisch: Grounding Thinking - humans’ future as a component of nature

17th April, 7 pm

Our thinking that guides our actions must be based on the global ecosystem and not on the wishes and needs of humans. Nature originated us, it carries us, and we are a dependent component of it. The laws of nature are irrevocably valid for us too; we do not have to help nature to its rights. However, grounded thinking can and must focus on us humans. On what constitutes people and humanity. The belief in the importance of being human and humanity as well as the values of humanism are more topical and relevant than ever. But despite all humanistic motivation, we must counter the - paradoxically also science-driven - forgetfulness of the ecosystem. Humanism must be ecologically hedged in. The mandate to live in such a way that the state of the global ecosystem does not deteriorate and as many people as possible are able to lead a good life has concrete consequences for our society, for politics and culture, for the economy and the question of property, as well as for education and technology.

 

 

Events in Mai

 

Špela Petrič: "Deep Phytocracy: Feral Songs"

4th Mai 2024, 3 pm

Participatory Performance in the Merkelpark

16 participants in active roles explore the world of anarchetypes and their connections to plants in Merkelpark.

Tha performance lasts about two hours. Please wear weather appropriate clothing. No previous experience, but a binding registration is required: villa-merkel@esslingen.de

 

Prof. Regine Rapp: About astro-cultures, photosynthesis-performances and social fermentation

4th Mai 2024, 6 pm

The lecture by art historian and curator Prof. Regine Rapp reflects on artistic positions that deal with the plant's ability to act and feel in an aesthetic, performative and scientific way. Selected positions of so-called "hybrid art" will be vividly presented in the lecture.

 

Guided tour in Russian

10th Mai, 6:30 pm

 

Family Tour

11th Mai, 3 pm

 

„Herbarium II“ – Describing plants

11th Mai, 4:30 pm

After intensively experiencing the plants in the Merkelpark, we write texts about plants in various exercises in which we try to explore new perspectives.

 

Yoga

12th Mai, 11 am

 

Guided tour in simple language by the curator

16th Mai, 5 pm

 

Guided tour in english

19. Mai, 16:30 Uhr