The Rheinelbe is art of an immense scale; where a landscape became a canvas to cross pollinate politics, business, history, economics, social identity, spirituality, aesthetics and environmental ecology. Herman Prigann regenerated an open cut coal mine back into a forest and park for the Gelsenkirchen community.

The Rheinelbe project is an example of trans-disciplinary work. The German government and the corporations who funded the project are to be commended for appointing Herman as Project Director. They understood the expertise required to create and coordinate the environmental and social regeneration of the site and contracted an artist with the appropriate transdisciplinary skills.

The Last Tree recommends artists as key contributors to business and political work concerning the environment.  Artists work with the ‘whole system’ which is vital when facilitating ecological action. Remediation & reclamation projects managed by Ecological Artists have great traction in Europe & North America and The Last Tree is working to bring these skills to Australia where it is being practiced by a dedicated few.

Rheinelbe Sculpture Wood - Herman Prigann

rheinelbe snapshot

This mountain is constructed from the waste soil of neighbouring mines. Herman worked with engineers to create a mountain mimicking the mounds of burrowing animals. The waste soil was said to be unusable due to its toxicity. By employing natural designs, Herman has created a system to replenish the organic composition of the barren soil. Biological chemists and horticulturists are studying the mountain’s long term ecological progress.