The artwork "7000 Eichen - Stadtverwaldung statt Stadtverwaltung" (7000 Oaks - Urban Forestation instead of City Administration) by Joseph Beuys is distributed throughout the city and continues to shape the city long after it was created for documenta 7 (1982). The trees belonging to the artwork are recognisable by a basalt stele next to it.
It took five years until the wedge-shaped pile of stone on Friedrichsplatz was removed and the social sculpture was realised. The artist's gift to the documenta city had as a condition that 7000 trees, each accompanied by a basalt stele, were to be distributed to 7000 locations throughout the city.
The aesthetic organism that has grown and continues to grow intervenes radically and sustainably in the visual, ecological and social structure of the urban living space in an immediately comprehensible way - like no other work of art worldwide.
The urban forestation was realised through the constructive interaction of the artist's commitment, local politics and civic engagement. The first and the last planting took place in front of the Fridericianum Museum. Since 2002, the delicate work, which requires permanent care, has been looked after by the "7000 Eichen" foundation.
The work of art has been a listed monument since 2004.
