KatzenwedelwieseDE

Die Katzenwedelwiese, a public orchard and meadow in Beiertheim-Bulach, became part of the organisational structure of ZKM | Centre for Art and Media in Karlsruhe in 2019. This new connection between a museum and a meadow was initiated by artist Stéphane Verlet-Bottéro as part of the wider exhibition project Critical Zones.

The Katzenwedelwiese is since been used as a public space by ZKM and local residents and groups for land-based practices, community activities and actions, art & inter-species learning.

The meadow is leased, managed and maintained by ZKM, which provides paid time to employees who choose to work the land. The day to day, and season to season maintenance of the meadow and its biodiversity addresses ecology, ecological urgencies and cultural connections and concerns through actual and localised practice.

The usership and stewardship of the meadow is shared with residents, the municipality (Liegenschaftsamt), the Bulach Citizens' Association, artists and a growing network and ecosystem of individuals, groups, organisations and initiatives. Artist and programmes at ZKM regularly take place on the meadow, and are also feeding back into exhibitions at the ZKM, which is a 15 min walk away.

In 2021 traditional orchards have been recognised as intangible cultural heritage in Germany.