Flower Power on the hill of the University

Partnership

The Department of Art of the University of Opole and the Department of Design of the University of Trier have been working closely together since 2009. In annual simple interdisciplinary projects, research, conferences and teaching this long-standing partnership is maintained.

Background of the project

In 1918 Poland became independent after 123 years by Austria, Austria and Hungary. This year, the country celebrates 100 years of regaining independence. The prehistory became the starting point for the art installation "Flowers of Independence" in the summer semester of 2018.

Workshop

On this occasion, through the initiative of Mrs. Anna Bulanda-Pantalacci, Annina Baeger (student MA) and Silvia Gessinger (Dipl.-Des. MA) from the University of Trier was together with the partner university, University of Opole / art department and the city of Opole three-day workshop, one of the 37th students of the University of Opole. The aim of the workshop was the realization of a light / art installation consisting of more than 400 watertight origami blossoms standing on a central square of the university campus on swinging staffs for several weeks.

The art of paper folding, which has a very long tradition and comes from China and Japan, was explained and visualized by Annina Baeger. Subsequently, with the folding and gluing got. It was three intense days in a good group and working atmosphere

Why the origami technique?

Origami creates stylized figures and objects. The stylization here represents an abstraction and in part a reduction of a detailed three-dimensional template. Complex shapes are reproduced by folding a simple paper sheet.

The stylization here represents an abstraction and in part a reduction of a detailed three-dimensional template. Complex shapes are reproduced by folding a simple paper sheet.

The installation and its meaning

On 04.06.18 the installation was placed under a large participation of students, university teachers, inhabitants of the city of Opole and randomly passing tourists, who symbolically "planted" the origami flowers together. Together they waited for the twilight, where the flowers were even more effective due to the indirect lighting.

The symbolism of the flowers

Flowers (for example tulip, marguerite) were selected as folding objects for this project.

Each flower has a different symbolism: i.a. Freedom, independence, happiness, stability, strength, faithfulness, human warmth, creativity, energy, light, hope, uniqueness, love. These characteristics symbolize the values ​​of society and exemplify the attitude and attitude to life, which should be emphasized on the occasion of the centenary of Polish independence.

The filigree, simply folded folding flowers provide by their implementation a lot of freedom of interpretation. The simple piece of paper has blossomed through creativity. This process should also reflect the creative and innovative potential of Poland: a country with great creative potential in the past, present and future.

The origami flowers swinging on filigree metal rods in the wind also symbolize the dynamics and the relation to the environment and nature.

The large-scale art installation represents the growth and creative potential of the country. The different meanings of the flowers also add to the message.

The lighting gives the installation even greater attention: the flowers become shining points in the darkness.

The goal is to convey to the beholder a historical event from a symbolic, creative-visual point of view for one's own reflection and to stimulate one's own creative thinking.