First, fluctuating impressions for 2020… later we went to see “Motherless Brooklyn” at one of the Filmkunstkinos here in Düsseldorf. I like films, where one can actually focus on the characters and remember the story afterwards. This was such a film. Edward Norton is a little genius.
Tag Archives: trees
Walpurgisnacht 2019
3 May
Having spent past Walpurgis nights in relative solitude for over a decade, the stars aligned now in such way, that this year I was invited to spend it together with fellow photographer and occultista Anna Krajewski. Above are a few impressions of our little sabbath, as we explored a chapel built in follow to the execution of the region’s last witch, and ventured on through the forest, as the blue hour began. Finally we came to sit among tree roots descending towards a lake, in the company of myriads of bats and various waterfowl, a swan and last but not least a grey heron, sliding elegantly across the water’s mirroring surface…
Kamelienblüte Schloss Pillnitz, Frühlingsanfang 2019
22 Mar
The camellia in Pillnitz is around 230 years old, almost 9 m high and 11 m in diameter. From February to April it is covered in carmine red flowers. During the cold season, the tree, which was planted in 1801 by court gardener Terscheck, is protected by a large glass house with stairs. During this time visitors can enter and view the tree from two levels.
In the mid 19th century Dresden became a European hot spot for the culture and breeding of camellias, and exported them to Russia as well as Italy and Spain. The camellia was viewed as a status symbol among European aristocrats, and Russians in particular, had a high demand for camellia flowers, which were exported in thousands to St. Petersburg and Moscow.
With growing popularity among Westerners, and contrary to its Far Eastern symbolism, the meaning of the flower changed. Thanks to popular literature, most prominently La dame aux camélias by Alexandre Dumas from 1848, as well as real life personae, such as the “Wiener Cameliendame”, a dancer named Fanny Elßler, the camellia became erotizised!
On the other hand the longevity of the flowers, and particularly white camellia flowers, became associated with death and mourning and were woven into funeral wreaths.
The seeds of all known (about 200) camellia seeds yield a valuable oil, which smoothes the hair and juvenates the skin. The oil is rich in linolenic acid, and is also used in cooking and reduces cholesterine. Samurai rubbed camellia oil unto their sword blades to protect them from rust. The oil is also used as a natural surface finish for wood, as lube in watches and precision engineering and more.
Camellia wood is hard and durable and was used in the manufacture of weapons, different tools as well as kokeshi dolls. Up to the Edo period, a camellia rod was used in Buddhist ceremony to punish and drive out malign spirits. The wood also yielded a spark-free and, hence sought after charcoal.
Camellias are highly resistant against diseases and may contain different antibacterial and fungicidal agents.
Besides, the first Westerner to portrait a camellia flower was likely a Saxon gardener by the name George Meister. His book “Der Orientalisch-Indianische Kunst- und Lust-Gärtner” was published in 1692 in Dresden. In it he describes both the camellia as well as its crop plant, Camellia sinensis var. sinensis – the tea shrub!
Further Reading:
https://kamelienschloss.de/botanische-sammlung/kamelien/geschichte-verwendung-von-kamelien/
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pillnitzer_Kamelie
https://www.schlosspillnitz.de/de/schloss-park-pillnitz/kamelie/
Anna Krajewksi Photography
3 May
One of those rare occasions to have my photo taken (see last time). This time artist/photographer Anna Krajewski caught the moment with her Nikon camera. I like the result, the natural sunlight permeating through a dark roof of leaves tracing my silhouette. The other capture shows me bowing and lighting a candle before a flowering cherry tree, before gathering a handful of blossoms.
Japanischer Garten / Nordpark, Düsseldorf
3 May-
- Japanischer Garten Düsseldorf
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- Nordpark Düsseldorf
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- Nordpark Düsseldorf
3 weeks ago I moved to Düsseldorf. One of the first things we explored was the Nordpark and Japanischer Garten, while the cherry trees were still in bloom.
Gallery
Winter 2018
15 Feb Dresden Dölzschen
Baumhasel
Bienertpark im Winter
Bienertpark im Winter
Bienertpark im Winter
Genesung
Schneemann an der Elbe
Krokusse am Japanischen Palais
am Japanischen Palais
Wounds
14 Feb The Bleeding Tree
Almond Tears
Beech
Lachten
Lachten
Lachten
Cherry Tree
Ash
Ivy
Listen to the Silence
Womb
Willow
Swallowing Death
A collection of photographs of wounds, scars and malformations on trees
Back at the Blackthorn Gate
2 Jun
The sunset that evening
The grass on the meadow in full bloom; everything smelled like summer
The Blackthorn hedge forms a gate around a beaten path. As the former hedge slowly grows into trees, they begin to wither from within, whilst new blackthorn shrubs grow on the outside. With the years a dense thicket is formed, where birds and other animals find a home.
A poison hemlock plant, found on a meadow. The purple spots on green stem and pungent smell easily distinguish it from other umbelliferous plants.
From the gathered blackthorn branches thorn-crowns are made. I’ve been working with the blackthorn for over a decade; since three years I am returning annually to gather branches for making these thorn-crowns. This year I gathered material for making four to five crowns. Two are already reserved. E-mail me if you are interested in receiving one as well.
Wiebke Rost 