The Rock Garden The Rock Garden at UMBC The Joseph Beuys Tree Partnership was inspired by the German artist Joseph Beuys’s (1921-1986) project, 7,000 Oaks: City Forestation Instead of City Administration, in which he planted 7,000 Oak trees in Kassel, Germany. Beuys was a prolific performance artist and very influential artist in the mid-twentieth century. He was born into a Germany falling into fascism, and thus, like many other German children of his generation, took part in the Hitler Youth and eventually served in the German Air Force during World War II. He was a sculpture professor at a college of art in Dusseldorf and had his art in galleries around the world. However, his most influential contribution might be his concept for social sculpture, which presents the idea that art and society are intrinsically linked. He believed that every human was an artist, and that with intention, every action can be art. These artists and their art combined make society. To Beuys, art had the power to change society, and this is exemplified in his work 7,000 Oaks. For more information about the Joseph Beuys Tree Partnership, please see the CADVC Joseph Beuys Tree Partnership Oral History Collection The Rock Garden at UMBC The Rock Garden at UMBC Land Acknowledgement UMBC was established upon the land of the Piscataway and Susquehannock peoples. Over time, citizens of many more Indigenous nations have come to reside in this region. We humbly offer our respect to all past, present, and future Indigenous people connected to this place. Nature Sacred The Joseph Beuys Sculpture Park is generously supported by Nature Sacred the initial funder of the park. The JBSP is only one of over 100 “Sacred Places” implemented by Nature Sacred across the country. Nature Sacred’s mission is “to provide the opportunity for a deeper human experience by inspiring and supporting the creation of public green spaces that offer a temporary place of sanctuary, encourage reflection, provide solace, and engender peace and well-being.”To learn more about their work and ways to support Nature Sacred, visit their website here. Visitor Information For links to maps, directions, and parking information, visit: cadvc.umbc.edu/visit-us Our exhibitions and events are free and open to the public for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University’s nondiscrimination policy. If you need specific accommodations at one of our events, whether in person or online, or to experience an exhibition, please contact CADVC at cadvc@umbc.edu or 410-455-3188 as soon as possible.
