Death and Rebirth
The Art piece "Death and Rebirth" represents and describes the pushback of Nature, where modern cities thrive. Now, because of global warming, we try desperately to bring down temperatures in densely populated areas by planting trees in different places. The burst open Asphalt signalizes the growth of nature reclaiming space. The lanterns hanging from the tree's branches show a reference to chinese lampions, which are a sign of death (white) and rebirth (red). The old tree itself has no leaves but still looks alive and is another form of symbolism for death and life.
Background Information on Lanterns:
In the old tradition in China, lanterns on the house, apart from their decorative function, also serve to convey messages. They inform about birth, death, social status and imminent dangers. Red lanterns describe happy events, blue describes declining energy and white means death. So if a white lantern hangs in front of a house, it can be assumed that someone has died there. A blue lantern could tell of illness and a red one of a wedding or birth.
There used to be a significant production of lanterns in Europe. The manufacturers and traders are called lampists, the production is called lampisterie.
Even today in China, on the night of the Moon Festival, Kong Ming lanterns are raised into the sky with good wishes.
