The first work of art made in the Millennium Ecological Park is Entrée, created by German artist Nils-Udo in 2002. A metaphore for an entrance in a new relation with nature, the living work of art is made with a triangle of flagstones surrounded by a hedge of american cranberry bushes (viburnum trilobum). Three boulders found during the hill’s excavation were placed in the artwork.

The artist

Nils-Udo is a pioneer of environmental art from Bavaria, a region in southern Germany. Painter in his youth, he found his passion for nature art by collecting materials during long walks in nature. En 1972, he leased land in Chiemgau, Upper Bavaria, from farmers who couldn’t grow anything on them. On these plots, he furthered his knowledge in botany and forestry.

Nils-Udo then became photographer, capturing the growing state of his plantations year after year. He worked by himself until 1978, when he was invited to an artists’ meeting for the first time. Since then, he cooperates with other artists, either in the environmental domain or from other disciplines. He is known for cooperating with Peter Gabriel, for the cover of his album Ovo.

Contrary to American land art artists from the 1970s who moved mountains with bulldozers, Nils-Udo never interferes violently with the surroundings. Several recurring shapes are found in his work – his first works in the plantations featured circles and hills, and he works a lot with floating islands and nests. Nature’s progress and deterioration is an essential theme in his art.

Laureate of several international awards, Nils-Udo never narrowed his gaze to only Europe. His expositions were sponsored around the world : in France, Italy, Greece, Japan, Canada, United States, in India and in Mexico.

Galerie

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