The earth is synonymous with our planet and also refers to the thin layer of soil that forms the basis of our existence. People have therefore always had both a real and a spiritual relationship with the earth, regardless of their cultural background. Especially in connection with special places or events, the earth has always exerted a special representative fascination.
The Altar
The “One Earth Altar” was initiated by Marianne Greve as a work in progress at the turn of the millennium as part of EXPO 2000. As a constantly growing international art project, the altar is open to all people, denominations and cultures worldwide and has since been on display in the One World Church in Schneverdingen (directions).
Church and altar have always been committed to tradition. In the One Earth Altar, contemporary expression is sought through form, material and method. As a winged triptych (7.00 m wide, 4.20 m high and 0.15 m deep), its technical structure comprises double-walled, glass-bead blasted stainless steel profiles, as well as glass and earth.
In this way, the One Earth Altar takes on the external form of a winged triptych, but differs fundamentally from pictorial wooden altars through its abstract, light and rather technical structure made of steel and glass. The light, often depicted as a “golden background” in classical altars, can be directly experienced and is a design element via the open steel and glass framework in front of the light-flooded, east-facing apse of the church. In particular, the transparent, solid semicircular spines of the earth books, which are engraved with three lines of the calculated random distribution, also enable a varied and lively play of colors as in a prism through the light falling from behind: The submitted earths can be queried via the book search.
Since the turn of the millennium, people from different cultures, mentalities, religions and world views have been invited to donate soil for the altar and describe its significance. With the personal and scientific participation of various institutions, a worldwide “story map” is being created over time. Earths of natural and cultural-historical relevance are placed on the altar on an equal footing, georeferenced and randomly distributed. There are earths from migrants, from the Dalai Lama or from the birthplace and place of death of a Jewish girl from the Nazi era. Other earths relevant to contemporary history come from Ukraine, Ground Zero in New York and Breitscheitplatz in Berlin or areas affected by the tsunami in Thailand. But there are also very personal stories, such as soil from a honeymoon, the ownn sandpit in the back garden or from the place of the first kiss.
“The accompanying letters also form an incomparable archive of attributions to the earth”
– Prof. Dr. Monika Wagner in Hans Haacke: Der Bevölkerung … Diers, König Köln.
In the age of digitalization and the associated cultural change, these global attributions can also provide orientation. Although we ourselves are not only dependent on “rare earths” in the context of digitalization and computer technology, we are becoming increasingly unaware of the “ground beneath our feet” and the earth as a whole. The intertwining of “nature and culture” with its everyday realities is receding into the background. It remains to be seen whether the long-term appreciation of the earth as the basis of life – which is not only important for us humans – is still being taken into account. Over time, various publications have appeared about the One Earth Altar.
The earth books
The individual compartments of the One Earth Altar will ultimately hold 7000 earth books. The engraved reference numbers will keep the donated earth samples connected to the respective explanatory legend and the donor. The earth books (each 13x12x2 cm) not only embody the representation of human knowledge and experience through their classic book form, but also relate in their size to the human hand, human activity and are therefore also a symbolization of human existence as a whole.
The structure and color of the earth remains visible. The layered sequences of sediments make it possible to trace the past layer by layer – like page by page in a book. The essence, the history of the respective time – from the climate to the cultural expressions of life – is contained therein. In addition, topographies are shaped by beliefs as well as social and political ideologies.
The reference to the seven-day creation story is decisive for the number of earth books in the altar. It also reflects the theme of human transience, which is taken up in Psalm 90: “A thousand years are as one day before you.”
Through the cultural object of the book, the element of earth is brought into a form that refers to scripture and content. This analogy unites the real with the spiritual, the local with the global, the haptic with the emotional, the present with the events of the past, science with religions and the individual with humanity in earth books. Not only literature, but also places tell stories – often much more directly and simply. The earth, the soil, has the longest memory!
Based on the documentation/referencing, all soils are first recorded using a standardized form and then filled into the prefabricated book sleeves. The three-line engraving indicates the calculated random distribution of the exact position (column, row, book) in the altar. In this way, the engraving allows the books to be individually marked and a direct link to the donors and their stories.
This documentation can be accessed via the book search.
Work in Progress
The “work in progress” that continues to this day and the continuously changing, growing altar collections with the associated legends not only enable the congregation and the numerous visitors on site to constantly gain new experiences, views and insights, both real and virtual, which can be linked together. The earth – the soil – is and remains an everlasting source of inspiration for life and our culture.
2003
2023
As a prelude, the parishioners of St. Mark’s parish had already located the international “One Earth Altar” for its inauguration in 1999 with a contingent of completed earth books. Some of them traveled to their original homes for the first time, which they had to leave as former war refugees.
The worldwide participation was then opened at EXPO 2000 in Hanover by the participating country pavilions and presented in the ecumenical Christ Pavilion. Since then, numerous people and institutions have accepted the invitation to donatea personal Earth.
“The place is important. Because I say that we live on this planet, and if you look at it as an organism that lives, then the place matters”.
Joseph Beuys, Henning Christiansen
Celtic (Kinloch Rannoch) in Scottish Symphony
It has been shown time and again that the mere request to select and describe the earth profoundly changes the personal relationship of the donors and often anchors it anew in their consciousness in a variety of ways, which can be shared in the altar worldwide. The earth is always a point of reference for personal experience, but is not limited to this – it stands for itself. In particular, it is neither good nor evil or associated with a particular religion. There is only soil in places that are shaped by the respective fates and cultures as well as by natural events.
As varied as the colors of the Earth books are the associated moving, sad, amusing or shocking stories that tell of the continents and their natural diversity. Community grows from the interweaving of these stories – stories that not only connect people with each other, but also place us in relation to the earth and its living environment.
Join in
There are many opportunities to participate in the ongoing work in progress of the One Earth Altar:
Donate soil for the One Earth Altar
Please send in the selected soil together with the completed participation form.
In order to ensure a complete, exemplary worldwide representation of the Earths and stories, the remaining vacant Earth Book slots are primarily available to countries and continents that are not yet represented in the altar. Country overview
Personal stories are just as relevant as historical or ecological ones. By submitting your story, you agree to it being published as part of the documentation of the Earth Books with the associated data. Participation is free of charge, but there is no entitlement for your earth to be included in the altar
Financial support for the One Earth Altar
You can also support the ongoing project financially by making a direct donation to the following donation account, stating the purpose “EEA” or “One Earth Altar”:
Evangelisch-lutherische Markusgemeinde Schneverdingen
IBAN DE62 2585 1660 0000 2716 19
Purpose: One Earth Altar
A donation receipt can be issued on request.
Purchase of a One Earth book
In addition, a limited special edition can be purchased – a hand-signed multiple made from the surplus and mixed earths sent in for the altar. The varying mixing ratio makes each book unique. The proceeds from this special edition – after deduction of all production costs – will also be used to support the ongoing One Earth Altar project.
The book of mixed earth (13 × 12 × 2 cm), which corresponds in size and shape to the earth books of the One Earth Altar, is fitted with a device for hanging and thus becomes an individual wall sculpture surrounded by plays of light and shadow. This global mixed earth refers beyond itself: it is, as it were, connected to each of its parts – the ground. As a multiple, the mixed-earth book becomes the global carrier of the earths gathered in the altar and their associated legends.
This special edition includes a hand-signed box (17x23x3 cm) with a short description of the project and can be purchased for €200 plus postage.
If you are interested, please send an e-mail to: eineerde@greve.net
With Gratitude
The “One Earth Altar” project was financed by the Niedersächsische Lottostiftung, the Niedersächsische Umweltstiftung and the Hanns Lilje Stiftung.
Patronage
Retired Bishop Horst Hirschler, Bishop Dr. Margot Käßmann
The Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Mark in Schneverdingen, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, the World Forum Forest, Church Service, the Lüneburg Heath Working Group, the district of Fallingbostel and EXPO2000 GmbH are the sponsors and supporters of this project.
The project was also supported by
Dr. Harald Andruleit, Badulo Bahlburg, Professor Dr. Jürgen Becker-Plathen, Horst Beinlich, Christian Cordes, Paul Dalby, Dr. Felix Greve, Georg Greve, Dr. Wulf Greve, Frank Hasselberg, Professor Dr. Thomas Höpner, Frank Reiners, Bernhard Reiter, Stefan Schierding, Lothar Tabery, Professor Dr. Gottfried Vauk, Michael Wedler, Professor Dr. Friedrich-Wilhelm Wellmer and Michael Ziegenbein.
The following helped to fill and sort the soil books
Irmgard Behrens, Annelies Brockmann, Ingrid Brooks, Monika Burger, Marianne Fassbaender, Werner Gerken, Ursula Gesche, Edith Gollin, Frank Hasselberg, Karl-Heinz Krienke, Hildegard Leverenz, Gesa Mahnke, Karin Mross, Ruth Otte, Marianne Peters, Dieter and Erika Possin, Annie Riebesehl, Monika, Saskia, Chantal and Swantje Pidun, Cheryl Scharley, Marianne and Otto Schroeder, Mrs. Seitz, Marlies Struck, Heinrich Weseloh.
Earth book documentation
Anette Warning, Christian Weseloh, Norbert Linke.
Photographs
Helge Mundt, Ottmar von Poschinger (2003).
Website design
Martin Perlbach, Ilorenzo
We would like to thank everyone involved once again.
Contact us
Marianne Greve
eineerde@greve.net