Adolf-Grimme-Gesamtschule Goslar (Germany)
Local students from grades 5 to 12 developed creative and unique artworks addressing the massive forest dieback in the Harz region and its impact on the World Heritage Site. The pieces reflect their perspectives on the consequences of climate change on their home region, which is particularly visible in the form of forest death: a forest diary, the sounds of trees being cut down, a collection of interviews about how people in the region perceive the massive and fast changes of the forests, a package of “Environmental destruction to go”, paintings of trees, real dying plants and a plastic soup cup ironically advertising “Harz-Seeds” as an instant soup. Thanks to the dedication of two teachers with backgrounds in social studies and fine arts, who took an interdisciplinary approach, and with the tireless support of Gesine Reimold (an educator at the Mines of Rammelsberg), an impressive exhibition showing the worries and emotions of many young people was created. The exhibition was opened with a ceremony to celebrate the efforts of all contributors and to make the students’ views visible to the public. It is currently touring the different museums of the Harz region as a travelling exhibition.
Articles in the local newspaper highlighting the success of the students' art exhibition.
“Instant Harz”
An instant soup made from the seeds of local plants in a plastic cup ironically named “Instant Harz”. What will survive in the end: the trees of the Harz or the plastic cup?
“The only mystical tree”
The oil painting depicts mythological figures from the Harz Mountains standing accusingly in front of the dead forest. A horrifying vision of the future mixed with mystical elements where there is ONLY one surviving tree left in the Harz Mountains.
“Behind the glass”
For this installation, the students arranged living plants in a sealed glass container. Visitors are meant to observe the slow deterioration of the plants as they watch the planet losing its biodiversity. If we can lift the glass to let in some air for the plants to thrive, why shouldn’t we?
“Environmental destruction 'to go'”
Students reused old newspapers and other materials to create a transportable but severely damaged forest. A souvenir to take home as a reminder of the massive impact climate change is having on the Harz.
Local Newspaper Articles
Articles written by the local newspaper highlight the success of the students art exhibition
Click on the picture to read full article.