The installation "Hortus Conclusus" by Christoph Rihs shapes an enclosed circular garden within the baroque nave of the "Haus der Kunst," an exhibition space located in the former church of St. Josef in Solothurn.
Resembling a semi-transparent Maschrabiyya, this sculpture creates a secluded interior through an artificial rose trellis that initially gives off an exclusive impression, yet ultimately envelops both the space and its visitors. Rihs interweaves the notions of concealing and revealing by cutting the rose vines out of a geotextile, a fabric commonly used in road construction. This fabric is suspended on both sides of the crossbars, resulting in the absence of blossoms on one side and stems and leaves on the other. Where the viewer looks at the fabric behind it, the grayscale changes; where the gaze allows, it peers into the space behind it. Christoph Rihs meticulously hand-cut this rose garden. The leaves, vines, and flower heads of the trellis compose a unique ambiance through the interplay of semi-transparency and translucence—one that resides in the middle ground between openness and enclosure, striking a balance between intimacy and expansiveness. Not without reason, Christoph Rihs titled his work "Hortus Conclusus," as it stands in the former church of a convent. The concept of the "Hortus Conclusus," interwoven with the symbolism of the rose and Mary, reflects a secluded garden that often allegorized Mary's purity and integrity during the medieval era. The rose embodies notions of love, beauty, and spirituality—attributes intimately linked with Mary herself. The bloom of the rose symbolizes Mary's purity, while its thorns evoke her role as a caring protector. Thus, the "Hortus Conclusus" becomes the emblem of Mary's flawless essence and her ability to offer protection and solace. Through this installation, Rihs intertwines the concepts of a secluded garden, the allure of roses, and the spiritual significance of Mary. The semi-transparent barrier of the rose garden can be seen as a separation between the celestial and the earthly, while the rose vines serve as a bridge between the divine and the human. The result alludes to a refuge of contemplation that takes root once again within the heart of the church. |