[Previous entry: "What is Art?"] [Next entry: "Philip Pavia"]
07/31/2006: "art and nature walk: STILL WATER" by Adri AC de Fluiter
In 2005 the Foundation Nature Art Drenthe ( based in the province Drenthe in the Northern part of the Netherlands) organised for the first time a international symposium on art-in-nature. It was called ‘Art and nature walk The Legend’. 10 international artists were working for a fortnight on location inspired by the old legend of two ugly giants called Ellert and Brammert. Robers and killers long time ago in this region and kidnapping the beautifull farmers daughter Marieke. A bloody story although with a happy end. The symposium and the exhibition till the end of 2005 was very succesfull. About 12.000 visitors and a lot of exposure in the press.
Goal
To work on the goal of the foundation (establishing a permanent location for art-in-nature in the Netherlands) this year the theme is based on an other culture historical item, the turbulent story of the Oanjekanaal (Orange canal). Built by hand inform 1854 till 1862 it was a big deception for the owners. Lots of trouble but no profit and at the end the canal was taken over by the Dutch government in 1952. At this moment the canal still exists but it is no longer a waterway for transportation. Many dams and bridges are making this impossible. The water of the canal is only used for recreation: fishing, canoeing etc. The water is mirroring a quiet world around with small villages and a romantic scenery.
Inspiration
But the theme Still Water was inspiring over one hundred artists from all over the world to make impressive proposals for the symposium in 2006 called ‘Art and nature walk Still Water’. After a fierce discussion a professional jury has chosen ten artists to participate. Their names: from the Netherlands, Merijn Vrij, Dick Lubbersen and Sjef Meijman. France – Gwenaël Stamm. Germany – Roger Rigorth. Italy – Marco Dessardo. United Kingdom – Brenda Oakes. Canada – Marc Walter. USA – Mie Preckler (California) and Chase-daniel (New Mexico).
Symposium
The symposium was starting at the 7th of june and runs till the 21th . On this date the official opening took place. Mr Henk Weggemans (cultural delegate of the Province Drenthe). After his speech about 180 people took part in the walk of about 4 kilometres along the 10 artworks. In the forest there were some interludes like a special performance about the canal and a group of singers singing classical songs. From that time on the exhibition is open for the public from sunrise till sun down. No entrance because it is in the the woods of the State Forestry behind the open air museum Ellert and Brammert (www.ellertenbrammert.nl) in the small village Schoonoord.
Promotion
The full colour catalogue will be published in the first week of July, with information about the nature around, the canal and of course about the artists with images of the works on location. Also there is a website www.natuurkunstdrenthe.nl. On this site one will find all the information about this unique initiative. The theme for 2007 will be based on the very quick greening of this part of the province Drenthe. In some decades most of this countrsidy was covered with trees. First al lot of pines but also other trees that are covering the endless hayfields and drifting sands. The work was done mostly by unemployed people which werere forced to work here far from their homes in the western part of the country. The revolutionary change of the landscape delivers the title for the project in 2007: ‘Art and nature walk Green Revolution’(click on the website the button 2007
Interested artists are invited to react and send their proposals to the foundation. Curator is the artist Adri A.C. de Fluiter which is also chairman of the foundation. Email: defluiter@planet
