Olafur Eliasson: The parliament of reality

The parliament of reality nestles gently within the green campus of Bard College in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. A ring of trees circumscribes a gathering place on a round island at the centre of an artificial pond. In spring, summer, and autumn, the twenty-four Golden Chain trees (Laburnum anagyroides) screen the artwork off from the surroundings, creating a discrete natural space for meeting. The installation, which was designed specifically with the college and its site in mind, is based on the original Icelandic parliament, the Althing (literally a "space for all things"), one of the world's earliest democratic forums. The artist envisions the project as "a place where students and visitors can gather to relax, discuss ideas, or have an argument." The parliament of reality emphasizes that negotiation should be the core of any educational scheme. The parliament of reality is located directly opposite the Richard B. Fisher Center for the Performing Arts. While the undulating stainless steel surface of the Frank Gehry–designed Fisher Center dramatically rises up when it is approached, Eliasson's installation is nestled into the landscape and will over time be less visible as the trees grow. The project was commissioned by the Center for Curatorial Studies at Bard College (CCS Bard).