Marga Hattingh

Friedrich#

The Liberal Arts is at once an ideal and a reality, an institutionalised concept that is constantly shifting shape as it is transplanted through space and time. With its roots in classical antiquity and the Enlightenment, the Liberal Arts has extended across the globe, flourishing in the United States through an exchange with Humboldtian ide- als and recently returning to Europe where it first found its name. Here we see it in its openness: An organic unity in constant dialogue with its surroundings; a universal symbol of growth and regeneration -- the Liberal Arts as Plant Life is integral to the ecosystem of society. In the context of migration history, the Liberal Arts presents a unique solution to the problems of intolerance and incohesiveness in our diverse societies today. With its emphasis on cultural exchange, inclusivity, and flexibility, it is something that should be nurtured for the betterment of our human reality... but most find it inaccessible or trite. Thus suspended above our heads as the Clouds, it warrants our careful consideration.

#my personal, precious pot plant Fredrich

Installation and Essay, 2017