“The earth does not belong to the people, humans belong to the earth… Teach your children what we taught our children. The earth is our mother. What affects the earth, also affects the sons and daughters of the earth.”
Seattle (1786 – 1866), Chief of the Duwamish people
The book object
My book is designed like a jewel in a box, a book within a book, a valuable message to be conveyed. It was created in 1993 and over the years I have shown it at the Villa Oppenheim in Berlin, in Atlanta GA / USA and in Winston-Salem NC / USA.
The message
The text of the book is a reply from Seattle, an Indian chief of the Duwamish people in Washington State, to the then President of the United States, who wanted to buy their land in 1854.
This reminds us that humanity is only a tiny part of our universe and urges us to take responsibility for pollution, recognize how sick our planet is, reflect on the causes of global warming and take responsibility for its consequences.
Outer cover / envelope
Size: 35.5 x 33 cm
Both outer envelopes of the book connected by sisal rope.
Use of red earth, grasses, wood and stones from the area of the Indians of North Carolina / USA
Inner book
Size: 23 x 23 cm
Leporello, 22 pages, 29 original illustrations on parchment paper
Techniques: Watercolor, ink, acrylic, chalk, felt-tip pen
Inner book cover, conglomerate of small stones, glass and metal tendrils