Hide-and-Seek

I found several big stones in a field and took them to a pond. It took me a while, but I got it done.

I put the stones in a triangular shape by the pond. This arrangement aimed to connect with the environment by reflecting its natural forms.

Natural rock dam creating a small pool in a creek surrounded by greenery. — “Hide-and-Seek,” Landschaftspark Rietzer Berg, Kloster Lehnin, Brandenburg, Germany; Kunst-Eremitage’s artist residency, Landschafts- und Kunstverein Rietzer Berg; photo by V.F. Marrese; ©VFMarrese. Click to download HD Image (for press use only). Please credit V.F. Marrese. Contact us for other use or licensing.

I wanted to build new meanings around the artwork after mirroring the shape.

A small creek with a rock dam and surrounding vegetation. — “Hide-and-Seek,” Landschaftspark Rietzer Berg, Kloster Lehnin, Brandenburg, Germany; Kunst-Eremitage’s artist residency, Landschafts- und Kunstverein Rietzer Berg; photo by V.F. Marrese; ©VFMarrese. Click to download HD Image (for press use only). Please credit V.F. Marrese. Contact us for other use or licensing.

After setting up the stone triangle, I tied a rope around one of the stones and cast the rope into the water, securing an object to the other end.

A rock dam with rope, surrounded by water and vegetation. — “Hide-and-Seek,” stone wrapped in rope, evoking intrigue in ‘Subtle Habitat’, Landschaftspark Rietzer Berg, Kloster Lehnin, Brandenburg, Germany; Kunst-Eremitage’s artist residency, Landschafts- und Kunstverein Rietzer Berg; photo by V.F. Marrese; ©VFMarrese. Click to download HD Image (for press use only). Please credit V.F. Marrese. Contact us for other use or licensing.

This act was intended to create a dynamic interaction between the stones, the water, and the object.

What's hidden in the water, attached to the stone? Are you inclined to leap over the stone to discover what's connected to the rope? Or would you prefer to leave the end of the rope a mystery?