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
Concert 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.
Orchestra of Change: Matinee for Madagascar
28th April, 11:00 am
Musicians from the Stuttgart Staatsorchester play as part of the “Orchestra of Change” association within the exhibition in favour of Madagascar’s flora for the preservation of one of the most biodiverse areas on earth.
lecture: Dr. Andreas Gutmann: Orchideen und Affen im Gerichtssaal: Die ecuadorianischen Rechte der Natur und die (De-) Kolonialität des Rechts (in German)
28th April, 03:00 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. But despite all humanistic motivation, we must counter the - paradoxically also science-driven - forgetfulness of the ecosystem. Humanism must be ecologically hedged in.
Blumenleben – Chamber concert with piano quintet
29th April, 08:00 pm
The late Romantic composition “Blumenleben” by the composer Dora Pejačević (1885-1923) and her monumental piano quintet will be presented in the exhibition in cooperation with the Esslingen Podium Festival.
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