Joseph Beuys

7000 Eichen

About this artwork

This poster documents a collaborative project that Joseph Beuys staged in Documenta 7, a large exhibition of contemporary art that takes place every five years in Kassel, Germany. Focusing on green urban renewal, the idea was to plant 7000 oak trees (in German, eichen) with the help of volunteers throughout the city. The trees were paired with 7000 column-shaped pieces of basalt rock, piled outside of Museum Fridericianum in the city centre. Every time money was raised to plant a tree, one of the basalt columns would be removed and set up next to the tree. This artistic, ecological and social intervention was intended as only the beginning of a global mission for environmental and social change.

Published September 2022

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  • artist:
    Joseph Beuys (1921 - 1986) German
  • title:
    7000 Eichen
  • date created:
    1982
  • materials:
    Print on paper
  • measurements:
    60.30 x 84.20 cm
  • object type:
  • credit line:
    ARTIST ROOMS National Galleries of Scotland and Tate. Acquired jointly through The d'Offay Donation with assistance from the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Art Fund, 2008
  • accession number:
    AR00745
  • gallery:
  • artwork photographed by:
    Antonia Reeve
This artwork is part of Artist Rooms
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Joseph Beuys

Joseph Beuys