Ricardo Mazal: Odenwald 1152 September 29, 2008

OD 1152 is the name of a tree located in a forest outside the small town of Michelstadt, in the Odenwald region of Germany. The forest is now a cemetery, a place where peoples' remains are buried in biodegradable urns amongst the roots of a tree of their choice. In 2007, Mexican artist Ricardo Mazal photographed the forest extensively and them as a point of departure - digitally transforming and merging them with images of his own paintings - to create virtual studies for new paintings. Mazal has recreated the forest in a deeply compelling manner that inspires us to reflect on the meaning of burials.