Abstract
An art work consisting of deposits of earth from each of the constituencies represented in the German Bundestag has been conceived by the New York based artist Hans Haacke for the courtyard of the former Reichstag building in Berlin. Growing plants from seeds of each region symbolizes the unity of Germany after its reunification. Assembling natural materials from different regions of a country or an empire belongs to an enduring tradition of political symbolism. Though often more precious and durable material have been deployed, there are political rituals which focus on lowly earth which represents the country's population. Haacke's art work for the Bundestag seems to actualize the material's political iconography.
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