Gruen ≠ Gruen

Ruben Maria’s work is heavily informed by the ambivalent relationship between humans and nature. In a small forest close to Bregenz, Maria presents a wooden structure, inspired by the construction technique used in hunting stands. Verdant-green lawn turf covers the entity. It rises like a congealed wave, a portion of artificial nature, mastered by the artist.

Yet, waves cannot be tamed. They are lethal, calming, they carry away, mount up and break, they are loud, sound high and deep, vibrate – they are red, ultraviolet, sometimes green. Waves do not stop at frontiers. Ruben Maria’s wave rolls from the Bavarian alpine foothills to Austria, and maybe further into other valleys, plains, villages and cities. 

However, nature will probably devour the forest wave – if we allow it to do so.