15 Years of the Enea Tree Museum
15 YEARS OF THE ENEA TREE MUSEUM
2025 marks the 15th anniversary of internationally unique open-air museum dedicated to trees. This anniversary is not only an occasion to look back on the pioneering union of nature and art but also marks the beginning of a new chapter: with an increased focus on science and research. A vision that brings nature, art, and technology into dialogue.
As part of the celebration, two new artistic positions were unveiled: the immersive installation ARBOREAL SERENADE by Sara Kieffer (*1992, Zurich) and the delicate natural typographies WELTGRENZEN by Maximilian Prüfer (*1986, Weilheim, Bavaria).
Landscape architect and art collector Enzo Enea also raises awareness about the relationship between art and nature. In 2010, he opened the Tree Museum on the upper Lake Zurich, set within a spacious 75,000 m2 park, which is now one of the largest art gardens in Switzerland. With over 3,000 trees and plants, it has become a unique place of nature. The concept is complemented by around 40 contemporary artworks and large-scale installations by artists such as John Giorno, Sylvie Fleury, Jaume Plensa, Jürgen Drescher, Stella Hamberg, Ugo Rondinone, Olaf Nicolai, and many others. Enzo Enea is particularly interested in artworks and artists that engage with the topic of nature. Art is an integral part of his work as a landscape architect, where his intention is to bring together nature, architecture, ecology, and art. Ninety percent of the artworks shown in the Tree Museum come from his own collection. Some loans and commissioned works complement the art interventions in the Tree Museum. The latest additions include Gregor Hildebrandt’s bronze sculpture “Lümmel” and Maximilian Prüfer’s delicate natural typographies. Artist Sara Kieffer (KIEFFER WOODTLI) has now installed another long-term project on the Japanese pagoda tree in the Tree Museum – an immersive artwork based on various tree data. The Tree Museum’s consultant and curator is the Swiss exhibition maker Christoph Doswald.
The centrepiece of this expansive facility is the impressive main building, designed by the renowned American architects from Oppenheim Architecture + Design. In front of the building lies a large pond lined with lava, providing an idyllic setting for meetings and relaxation. Inside the building, visitors will find not only an inviting café but also additional parts of Enea’s exquisite art collection, including works by renowned artists such as Claire Morgan, Damien Hirst, and Ian Davenport.
