©Niels Albers
According to legend, the Cathedral of Notre Dame in Amiens was built on a field of artichokes donated by a medieval market gardener who cultivated the fertile soil of the Hortillonnages. In recognition of the gift, a statue of him was placed on the façade. However, the artichoke did not arrive in France until the late 15th or early 16th century whereas the cathedral was built between 1220 and 1269, making this legend an early case of “fake news.”
Niels Albers’ exhibit for the festival is inspired by the form of the artichoke, with its layered leaves mirrored in a contemplative structure. This exhibit is located on one of the smallest islands on Clermont Lake and invites visitors to reflect on the stories we tell, the importance of fact-checking and the evolving nature of culture.
The Hortillonnages looks wild but is entirely shaped by the human hand. This contrast between nature and cultivation is at the heart of this exhibit. Step onto the upper platform and consider: what is native, what is beauty, and how do we shape the world?
The artist
Niels Albers