Among other speakers, curator Martine van Kampen will talk about Marinus Boezem's Green Cathedral in an online talk from Sculpture Network on 9 December, 20:00 CET.

For the Love of Trees

In times of large-scale forest loss, artists from different generations celebrate trees as a source of life or take action to protect them. Join our online event featuring four inspiring speakers who will share their unique perspectives and artistic approaches to safeguarding our natural world.

In 1978, Marinus Boezem (1934, NL) conceived his Gothic Growth Project to celebrate human ingenuity, which transformed sea into land, explains Martine van Kampen, curator of Land Art Flevoland, NL. Today, in the era of climate change, the 178 trees planted according to the floor plan of the Cathedral of Reims are known as The Green Cathedral. This sacred space calls for humility toward the forces of nature.

While climbing, Cecylia Malik (1975, Poland) transformed from a tree climber to a tree knight!
For 365 Trees (2009), she climbed one of Poland's many trees every day and posted a daily photo on Facebook—for 365 consecutive days. In 2017, when the Polish government changed the law to no longer require permission for tree-felling, it unleashed a "massacre" of trees across the country. As a form of protest, Malik breastfed her baby on the trunk of a felled tree. Her project, Polish Mothers on Tree Stumps (2017, ongoing), went viral on Facebook and helped restore the law.

By adorning felled tree trunks with jewels and textiles, Bianca Runge (1967, NL) creates spaces for reflecting on consumer culture and our relationship with nature.

In his light installations, Bart Ensing (1960, NL) literally sheds light on trees, helping people connect with them.

Collage OC Trees

Join our Zoom Meeting on Monday, 9 December 2024, 20.00 CET.
Hosted and moderated by curator Anne Berk.
Speakers: Martine van Kampen, curator of Land Art Flevoland; Polish artist Cecylia Malik, Dutch artists and Sculpture Network members Bianca Runge and Bart Ensing.

After the lectures get together and networking in smaller groups.

The event will be held in English. Participation is free of charge, all you need is a PC, tablet or smartphone with an internet connection.  Please register here.

More info here.

Publication date: 6 Dec '24