Celebration of the installation of the "Heilsteine"
12.09.2003
Solo Exhibition
Berlin, Germany
The "Heilsteine" by Karin Sander as a permanent installation symbolize the function of the research of the Institute to infectious diseases. Karin Sander scanned an emerald into a computer and used the compiled data to mill two identical "replicas" out of two aluminium blocks which are ninefold larger than the original. Since the 12th century, and even today in alternative medicine, emeralds are believed to possess special healing powers, particularly in cases of rheumatism and infectious disease. Together with the enlargement of the sculpture and, hence, the enhancement of her visual properties, the artist underlines the goals of the Institute in terms of discovering the causes and the possibilities of alleviation from infectious and rheumatic diseases.