Axis-Mundi.world

We shall combine old knowledge with a new awareness

Handling nature with care as the basis for human life is representing knowledge, which had been groomed by different peoples at different times in history. For us humans this was and still is our way to preserve the viable equilibrium between nature and civilization.

However mechanization and industrialization of the past 150 years led to greater harm for nature as our livelihood and now we are confronted with the destruction of our planet due to human behavior. The concept of equilibrium between humanity and nature has not lost any relevance. We have to face the challenge to find a feasible balance in this globalized world while civilizations of past centuries had the opportunity to find this balance in their direct proximity and environment. Nowadays, vicinity and distance have to be imagined with their relationship in mind. Everything is related to everything else as, for example, the global aftermath of the deforestation of the "green lungs" of our planet, earths rainforests.

The image of the world tree is picked up by Steffen v. Manteuffel. It is symbolizing the equilibrium, which humanity sought to maintain in the past and will also have to be maintained by us in the future. The concept of balance between nature and civilization has been an inherent part of humanity for ages. But it will always be important to make the right decisions if we want to find this everlasting balance. This concept has an increasing significance because of real and looming catastrophes in our current time, indicated by the increasingly politicized youth, who is standing up for their future.

In our art installation Axis Mundi the current threat is visualized by a chopped off tree, which is meant to be understood as a symbol of life's decay – visible through ongoing forest decline and unimpeded deforestation of whole areas within our rainforests.

But within humanity there also lies the culturally creative potential to avert disasters. With nature in mind and a thoughtful resource management we will be able to regain the balance in nature. To achieve this we are in need of global communication. Together we must find our way towards a responsible treatment of nature. Inside the chopped off tree you will be confronted with nine chairs placed around a round table, which will invite visitors to discuss and find solutions for a sustainable concept of society. The idea is that the tree symbolizes the endangered global ecosystem with the table as our metaphorical way out of this crisis. If we make the right decisions and take the right actions for a viable future, the possibility to overcome the destruction of nature and the environment will manifest itself so that we can attain a sustainable society. All we need are the right ideas and their implementation.

More Information on the topic of the world tree: Wikipedia