Heemtuin (native plant garden)

When I was asked by Kunsthal KAdE to create a work using bricks in the public space of Amersfoort for the exhibition 'Brick!', my first thought was that the city already had far too many bricks. Given that summer temperatures are rising every year and drought is becoming a growing concern, we should actually be creating more opportunities for nature to thrive.
In the Gildekwartier district, near the exhibition space, there was a large lawn in the middle of a residential area. I used the bricks to build obstacles that prevent mowing. The municipal lawnmowers cannot pass between them, which allows the grass—and, in particular, the wildflowers growing among it—the chance to develop and bloom. This helps the soil retain moisture more effectively, while the native plants provide a benefit to insects.

The residents of the Gildekwartier have embraced the artwork. They requested that the municipality grant the piece permanent status within the city’s collection and took the initiative to transform the lawn into "Gildepark": a biodiverse oasis within a city dominated by brick and concrete.