Enshrined

Land Art Rittisberg 2024: "Enshrined"

Title: Enshrined
Artists: Stuart Ian Frost & Gunhild Lien
Type: Land Art
Location: Ramsau am Dachstein, Austria
Site Specific: Elevation: 1482 meters
Size: Height: 448 cm, Diameter: 407cm.
Material: Spruce
Year: July 2024

High up in the mountains, nestled in a forest belt above the picturesque alpine village of Rittisberg, lies the enchanting land art piece "Enshrined." Situated at an altitude of 1482 meters, this artwork by Stuart Ian Frost and Gunhild Lien invites visitors to discover it serendipitously along the winding paths of Ramsau am Dachstein.

"Enshrined" captivates with its enigmatic presence. Constructed from numerous raw spruce tree trunks of various dimensions, with the bark still intact, the artwork forms a striking cylindrical shape. These trunks, arranged in repetitive size combinations, create a drop-shaped pattern that imparts a sense of visual gravity and downward movement within the piece.

Elevated three-quarters of a meter above the ground, the artwork gives the impression of floating, adding to its visual appeal. The use of spruce, a locally sourced and sustainable material, allows the piece to blend harmoniously with the surrounding grove of spruce trees, while also presenting the material in a new, alienated form. This juxtaposition makes the familiar appear intriguingly different, a characteristic hallmark of artistic expression.

One of the characteristic features of "Enshrined" is the kaleidoscope of natural hues visible in the variation of the bark, where the subtle yet stark differences create a vibrant palette of color. The location enhances the artwork, and vice versa, fostering a dialogue between nature and the passerby. "Enshrined" engages multiple senses: visitors can enter the cylindrical form, gaze up at the sky through its circular opening, listen to the forest's sounds insulated by the structure, inhale the concentrated scent of wood and resin, and feel the warm, textured wood.

The title "Enshrined" evokes the concept of cherishing and preserving nature as something sacred. It underscores the importance of valuing and protecting the natural world, especially in the face of contemporary climate challenges. This harmonious integration of art and environment not only enhances the natural spot but also serves as a poignant reminder of nature's intrinsic value and the necessity of its preservation.