| Description |
Combining a sequence of paintings with a life-sized palm tree, this installation relates to the Christian holy day Palm Sunday, which is celebrated a week before Easter Sunday. It marks the day when Jesus made his triumphant entry into Jerusalem, beginning the sequence of events that led to his betrayal, crucifixion and resurrection. As he entered the city, he was greeted by crowds spreading palm branches in his path. Palm branches were an ancient symbol of military triumph that was adopted by Christianity to signify Christ’s victory over death. While Kiefer’s installation is not intended to make an explicit religious statement, it can be seen as drawing upon the Christian narrative to explore ideas of death, rebirth and belief, perhaps in relation to art and its purpose in contemporary culture. |