Grain – An Epitaph of Life

"The Seed – Epitaph of Life" is an outdoor sculpture by Andrzej Banachowicz, located in Poznań's Citadel Park, between the rose garden and the Museum of Armaments. Banachowicz, a professor at the University of Arts in Poznań, explores existential and metaphysical themes in his work, which is reflected in this sculpture unveiled in May 2009. "The Seed" symbolizes the beginning of life and sacrifice, alluding to the ideas of transformation and decay—a theme that gains particular resonance in the historical context of the Citadel, the site of brutal battles in 1945 that resulted in numerous casualties. The sculpture consists of a large, light-colored seed placed at the center of a pedestal, surrounded by tangled coral-like forms symbolizing the inevitability of passing. The artwork can also be interpreted as a reservoir of possibilities, emphasizing its universal nature. The Citadel, now a popular park, thus symbolizes the cycle of life and rebirth. Near "The Seed," other notable artworks can be found, such as the figural group "The Unrecognized" by Magdalena Abakanowicz and the sculpture "The Cosmonaut" by Wacław Twarowski. The owner of the sculpture is the Provincial Public Library in Poznań, and it is held in custody by the Greater Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts. The sculpture serves as an important cultural and historical landmark, blending artistic expression with deeper reflections on life and death.