International Forest Art Trail

International Forest Art Trail in Darmstadt

Art in the forest? Yes, there is, and it's permanent. Every two years, the "International Forest Art Trail" takes place in Darmstadt. On a circular path of just over three kilometers, numerous works of art integrated into the forest can be seen (even after the end of the official exhibition period) - often largely made of wood or natural materials. The organizing Verein für Internationale Waldkunst e.V. sees the path as a forest experience trail. In 2022, the action took place for the eleventh time - under the motto: "Art - Nature - Change", This time, 23 artists from 12 countries were present. A total of 30 works of art are on permanent display. With many works of art, the theme was not immediately recognizable, but only at second glance.

 (left: the famous forest submarine)

Since 2020, there has been an offshoot near the Messel Pit, a fossil site near Darmstadt, which is a World Natural Heritage site. There, too, a series of artworks can be seen under the motto "World/Nature/Fossil".

Chaiselonges

Chaiselonges are wooden loungers in the shape of waves, placed in the middle of the forest.  They invite you to lie down, linger, listen and enjoy the nature around you. It provides a welcome respite in which to relax.

House in the Woods

Walter van Broekhuizen, a Dutchman, realized thanks to the book: "Walden- Life in the Woods", written in 1854 by Henry David Thoreau a thought. His idea was to recreate the house in the woods.

The house should have three instead of four walls, no roof but a fireplace and no furniture.  In addition, he wanted to build the house around a tree, because he thought that his house should not be a foreign body in the forest.

Time Bomb

The "Time Bomb [in the wooden sky]" by Ernest Daetwyler from Canada is a sculpture in the form of a sphere with a diameter of 3.5 meters. It stands at the beginning of the forest art trail. The sphere is made of "bulky waste scraps" and many old wooden objects. The sign next to the sphere says: A recycled sphere built from discarded pieces of solid wood furniture makes time explode...