GaiaMotherTree

An explosion of color has taken over the central train station in Zurich, Switzerland. In collaboration with the Fondation Beyeler, Brazilian contemporary artist Ernesto Neto has installed a stunning and monumental work of art that rises 65 feet to the ceiling height of the Zurich Main Station, the busiest train station in Switzerland. Dubbed the GaiaMotherTree, this sculptural and interactive tree-like artwork resembles a living organism. ( Wang, 2018)

( Niedermann, 2018)

Crafted from colorful strips of cotton knotted together with finger-crocheting techniques, Ernesto Neto’s GaiaMotherTree is made all the more eye-catching due to its backdrop—the Neorenaissance architecture of the Zurich Main Station, built in 1871. The sweeping organic structure was shaped and stabilized using drop-shaped counterweights filled with ground spices including turmeric, cloves, cumin and black pepper. The central counterweight that hangs above a giant outline of the world in the heart of the GaiaMotherTree is filled with 30 kilograms of plant seeds. No nails were used to support the installation; in addition to the counterweights, 840 kilograms of earth was used to secure it.

( Wang, 2018)

( Niedermann, 2018)

( Niedermann , 2018)

When I discovered Ernesto Neto’s GaiaMotherTree huge artwork I was looking for a more organic shape for my space. I found his deep connection with nature so inspiring and pure and I want to implement such vision in my future designs.

( Fabaek , 2018)

“For me, mind and body are one thing, always together,” the artist has said. “I believe in the sensual body, and it is through the movement of such body-minds that we connect the things in this world, in life—the way we touch, the way we feel, the way we think and the way we deal.” (Neto, 1999)

This impressive installation stays out as a huge reminder how important Mother Earth is especially now in the times of viruses, social distancing and in my opinion is important for art to be responsible for saving the planet and our souls.