The GREEN QUOTE / Freely invented / Exhibition in the park of Kaarz Castle 2023

Under the theme "Freely Invented," Ruzica Zajec and Broder Burow are once again inviting artists to develop artworks for Kaarz Castle Park in 2023. The project series "das GRÜNE ZITAT" has been taking place regularly since 2015 and thus provides an important platform for art in public spaces in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Besides the two initiators of the project, Anke Becker, Doreen Becker, Annette Leyener, Frank Nordiek, André Tempel and Goran Tomcic are involved.

The comment "Freely invented!" has always had the connotation of lacking credibility. But while in the past there was a trace of recognition for the visionary power of invented stories, today they are massively dismissed. Given the increasing influence of "fake news" on public life, this is hardly surprising. But it is regrettable, because the consequences of the abuse of this creative ability, also limit the freedom of the arts. Yet their quality is precisely to detach themselves from reality, to look into never-before-seen future worlds or long-forgotten abysses of history, and in this way to give expression to truth.

Based on the title, the theme of the art project in the castle park moves in the ambiguous thought space of freedom and lies, vision and misrepresentation, fantasy and manipulation. Those who freely invent renounce any reference to reality and likewise renounce taking responsibility. But those who "tell fairy tales" invent parallel worlds that offer space for philosophical truths. New inventions usually arise when someone courageously steps out of the generally accepted thinking and holds the ground in a lonely position to defend something never thought of before. Literary works, which are freely invented, often represent the whole truth better than any reportage. Conspiracy theories begin with a lie, but take on a life of their own and rapidly gain influence. Amplified in the echo chambers of social media, baseless narratives sometimes gain so much power,
that they can influence world politics.

With its laconic title, this project appeals to the freedom of art guaranteed by the German constitution. For part of a functioning democracy is that there is never just one valid truth. Its core consists in tolerating dissent, even offering it a platform. Art must endure being critically discussed, but it is not controlled or banned as long as no people are offended or harmed. This is what characterizes a free society, which is why this project encourages free invention, so that the options of perceiving reality multiply. Only if art is free, it can make its contribution to visualize the unthinkable, to give expression to resistance and to invent an image for the future.

About Schlosspark and Schlosshotel Kaarz

Kaarz Castle Park is located in the hilly landscape of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, between forests, fields and lakes. Starting in 1869, Julius Hüniken had the garden redesigned into an English landscape park. In contrast to the strict geometry of French Baroque gardens, he wanted to incorporate the varied characteristics of a natural landscape. In terms of design, inspired by the paintings of Claude Lorraine or Nicolas Poussin, the English landscape garden in Kaarz also resembles a walk-in painting. Kaarz Castle dates back to a 15th century estate and was built in its current form in 1872. After extensive renovation, it was reopened in 2014 as a family-run castle hotel.