Böcker av Christoph Hesse

In many western countries, the material living standard of most peoplehas reached an unprecedented height. Parallel to nearly unlimitedconsumption possibilities, digital media promises a golden future throughan unlimited exchange of contacts and information. This status quo isaccompanied by the fact that the majority of us are experiencing thelongest period of humanity in peace - what a gift!Nevertheless, the price of this success, with its undisputedly fascinatingonly exploits the planet unrestrainedly but at the same time exhausts itsactors. All of us are aware of the consequences of uninterrupted "faster,higher, further": the overabundance of digital information mutates intoconstant manipulative bombardment, the high number of "friends"constant availability leads to a depletive permanent presence. Last butnot least, many people perceive the increasing alienation from natureas a substantial loss.Christoph Hesse caught this process as an opportunity to develop the"Open Mind Places" project for his hometown Referinghausen. It consistsof 9 near-natural follies that invite visitors and hikers alike to pause,life, respect for fellow human beings and mindfulness towards nature.Since it is a low-budget project, Hesse designed the follies as simpleconstructions made from locally available materials that has beenerected on a voluntary basis with the help of his family, local residents,and craftsmen friends.For the gallery, the exhibition represents an important facet of thedebate on the role and tasks that contemporary architecture has.Besides the market-oriented tendencies shaped by global architectureare extremely important. They in fact show the presence not only ofother ideas and lifestyles, but that commitment to them is worthwhile.Especially when they lead to an architecture that perfectly balancesthe relationship between art and nature.