Olea Europaea

2016

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The olive tree is a typical element of the Middle Eastern landscape, a shared home of Christians, Jews and Muslims. It is also a universal, religiously neutral symbol of peace, impossible to be appropriated by
a single culture. When they come to Europe, refugees from the Middle East leave their familiar world and enter a new, strange reality. I have planted an olive tree in Osiedle Przyjaźń, together with people from
the neighbourhood, transplanting an element from the world of the refugees into ours.

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The olive tree has spread its roots into the neighbourhood and become an integral part of it. In the summer, it is watered by Ms Gaja, traveller and Arabic culture aficionado, while its health is monitored by Mr Czesław Zamorski, botanist. In winter, together with grow lights, the tree becomes a living installation in Klub Karuzela – the central building of Osiedle Przyjaźń.