My friend the tree is dead

The title of the exhibition quotes a chanson written and sung by the singer and illustrator Alexandra in 1968. It is described as an early eco-anthem, but can also be perceived as a pathetic pop song. In view of the disappearance of the many trees and biotopes in the east of Munich for commercial buildings, some of which stand empty after completion due to oversupply, it can bring tears of anger to your eyes even without sad music.

The trees, their colours, their smell, their shade, the wind you can hear through the movement of the leaves, their inhabitants, the birds, squirrels and insects, the material wood enriches us. Trees are a blessing between concrete and too many cars, and they remind us of the differences between nature and artificiality.

Volker Atrops, who runs a tree nursery among other things, and Alexandra Bahlmann have invited four esteemed colleagues: Dermot Fowler, Niklas Link, Pauline von Angerer and Silke Spitzer. They all do not live in Munich and approach the topic in very different ways.

Last edited on 12.04.2025