atelier le balto: Here, in the atrium of the Academy, plants thrive in an unusual environment – with no direct contact to the earth, little natural light, and artificial irrigation. Selected from different climate zones, the plants have to hold their ground far from their original homes in different climatic conditions, and adapt to their new environment. They live scattered across the world, in the Diaspora. Most of these plants have a special connection to Jewish life. Some, for example, bear the names of Jewish people, others play a role in the Jewish holidays. And some of the plants’ folkloric names refer to anti-Jewish sentiments. The plants are placed on four steel plateaus, divided into four themes: “Culture,” “Nature,” “Landscape,” and “Academy.” They can be seen in various stages of development – germinating, taking root, growing, and withering. The garden is designed for continuous change; the variable beds allow for the emergence of new constellations and topics. The Diaspora Garden is a landscape sculpture that serves as a testing ground for new educational concepts with school classes and provides visitors with an unusual way of discovering the Jewish past and present.

Garten der Diaspora in the Academy of Jewish Museum Berlin
Adresse: Fromet-und Moses-Mendelssohn-Platz 1, D-10969 Berlin
Landscape Architecture: atelier le balto
Built: 2012-2013
Budget: 350 000€
Area: 900 m2
Photos: © hielpler, brunier,
Zeichnungen: © atelier le balto