Austria's Stadium Forest: Is It Still Breathing?

In 2019, Austria's Wörthersee Football Stadium in Klagenfurt was transformed into a forest as part of an art installation by Swiss artist Klaus Littmann. The project, titled 'FOR FOREST – The Unending Attraction of Nature', was inspired by a dystopian drawing by Austrian artist and architect Max Peintner, which imagined a world where nature could only be found in designated spaces. Littmann's installation featured almost 300 trees of native Central European species, including silver birch, alder, aspen, and oak. After the exhibition closed in October 2019, the trees were replanted near the stadium, creating a living 'forest sculpture'. But is this unique artwork still alive today?

Artist Klaus Littmann's inspiration for the forest

In the drawing, Peintner imagines a world where nature is confined to designated spaces, much like animals in zoos. This idea is brought to life in Littmann's installation, which transforms the Wörthersee football stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria, into a native central European forest. The installation contains almost 300 trees, some weighing up to six tons, and covers a space designed for 30,000 spectators.

Littmann's work is a statement against climate change and deforestation and aims to challenge people's perception of nature, forcing them to question the things they take for granted. The forest installation is expected to attract wildlife and change colours as the seasons change, offering visitors a unique and ever-changing experience.

After the exhibition closed on October 27, 2019, the forest was carefully replanted near the original stadium, where it remains as a living 'forest sculpture'.

The forest's location and its significance

The forest installation, titled "FOR FOREST – The Unending Attraction of Nature", took place at the Wörthersee Football Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria. The stadium is named after the nearby Worthersee lake and is located in the main city of the Austrian Carinthia region. The stadium hosts games for Austria Klagenfurt and can hold up to 30,000 spectators.

The installation was conceived by Swiss curator and artist Klaus Littmann and was inspired by a dystopian drawing by Austrian artist and architect Max Peintner. Littmann first saw the pencil drawing, titled "The Unending Attraction of Nature", in the 1970s. The drawing depicted a world where nature could only be seen in designated spaces, similar to how animals are kept in zoos.

The location of the installation inside a football stadium served a significant purpose. By placing the forest in an unexpected urban setting, the artists aimed to challenge people's perception of nature and raise awareness about climate change and deforestation. The contrast between the stadium seats, floodlights, and the natural forest created a unique and thought-provoking experience for visitors.

The forest itself consisted of almost 300 adult trees of native Central European species, including birch, willow, maple, and oak, as well as alder, aspen, white willow, hornbeam, and field maple. The diverse range of species ensured that the installation would change with the time of day and the seasons, offering visitors a dynamic and ever-changing experience.

The installation's impact on nature and wildlife

The installation, titled 'FOR FOREST – The Unending Attraction of Nature', was designed to be a temporary exhibit, with the trees being replanted in a public space near the stadium after the project's conclusion. This ensured minimal disruption to the natural environment and allowed the trees to continue thriving in their new location.

The trees themselves were sourced from nurseries, and the project was partly funded by 'tree sponsors', who contributed 5000 euros each. Landscape artist Enzo Enea was responsible for selecting and caring for the trees, ensuring they were properly acclimated to their new environment. The species chosen included silver birch, alder, aspen, white willow, hornbeam, field maple, and common oak—a diverse range characteristic of Central European forests.

The installation's impact on wildlife was also considered. The project's timing, from September to October, was chosen to coincide with the changing seasons. As autumn approached, the trees were expected to change colour and attract wildlife, offering a unique and ever-changing experience for visitors. The installation was open from 10 am to 10 pm daily, allowing people to witness the forest under natural light during the day and illuminated by floodlights at night, further enhancing the experience.

The 'FOR FOREST' installation successfully combined art, nature, and architecture to create a powerful statement about the importance of preserving and caring for our natural environment. By bringing the forest into an unexpected urban setting, the project challenged perceptions of nature and encouraged a dialogue about its future.

The process of creating the forest installation

• Inspiration and Conceptualization: The installation was inspired by a dystopian drawing by Austrian artist and architect Max Peintner, titled "The Unending Attraction of Nature". Swiss curator and artist Klaus Littmann stumbled upon this drawing in 1970 and was fascinated by its concept. The drawing depicted a world where nature is confined to designated spaces, similar to animals in zoos, due to climate change and deforestation. Littmann's vision was to bring this drawing to life and create a powerful statement about the environment.
• Planning and Collaboration: Littmann collaborated with landscape architect Enzo Enea, who had extensive experience working with trees in different environments. Together, they planned the transformation of the Wörthersee Football Stadium in Klagenfurt, Austria. The stadium, named after Worthersee lake, is the home ground of the football club Austria Klagenfurt.
• Acquiring the Trees: The project was partly funded by 'tree sponsors', who each contributed 5000 euros. A total of 299-300 trees of native Central European species were sourced from nurseries. These included a diverse range of species such as silver birch, alder, aspen, white willow, hornbeam, field maple, and common oak.
• Installation and Design: During the last days of summer in 2019, the trees were carefully planted directly onto the pitch of the stadium. The installation covered the entire pitch, creating a unique forest landscape within the stadium. The trees were arranged to form a captivating panorama, offering visitors a constantly changing experience as the seasons changed and daylight transitioned into floodlit nights.
• Public Exhibition: The "FOR FOREST" installation opened to the public on September 8, 2019, and remained open for seven weeks until October 27, 2019. Admission was free, and visitors were treated to a unique and evolving experience as the forest took on a life of its own. The installation challenged people's perception of nature and encouraged them to reflect on the importance of preserving and caring for forests.
• Replanting and Legacy: After the exhibition closed, the trees were carefully replanted on a public site close to the original stadium. This new location became the permanent home for the "forest sculpture", ensuring minimal interference with nature. An accompanying pavilion documented the transplantation process and provided context for the entire project. The installation left a lasting impact, serving as a memorial and a reminder that nature should not be taken for granted.

The future of the forest after the exhibition

The future of the forest installation after the exhibition was always intended to be bright. Swiss curator and artist Klaus Littmann, who conceived of the project, wanted to ensure that the trees would be replanted and remain as a "living forest sculpture". The forest was indeed replanted on a public site close to the original stadium, the Wörthersee Stadion in Klagenfurt, after the exhibition ended on 27 October 2019.

The replanting process was carefully undertaken to ensure minimal interference with nature. The trees now live on as a permanent memorial, serving as a reminder that nature should not be taken for granted. The forest sculpture stands as a testament to the importance of preserving and caring for our natural environment.

The impact of the installation extended beyond the stadium and influenced a series of related events and exhibitions throughout Klagenfurt. These included art exhibitions, film screenings, and performances that continued to engage with themes of nature, deforestation, and climate change. The For Forest installation sparked a broader conversation and encouraged people to reflect on their relationship with the natural world.

The legacy of the exhibition also lies in its ability to inspire future initiatives that combine art, nature, and architecture in unique ways. It demonstrated the power of art in challenging perceptions and raising awareness about pressing environmental issues. By bringing attention to the beauty and fragility of forests, the installation encouraged a reevaluation of our relationship with nature and sparked discussions about the need for better conservation efforts.

The future of the forest, therefore, is not just about the continued growth of the trees in their new location but also about the ongoing dialogue and actions that the installation inspired. The impact of For Forest extended beyond the physical space of the stadium and continues to shape how people perceive and interact with nature.

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