See the agenda for news, upcoming events and past exhibitions (archive).
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Trees are fascinating creatures. They're older than humans. Their annual rings form a readable memory, an archive of the climate. Trees whisper, move and provide shadow. And humans project mythical stories upon them. We need trees now more than ever. In many of my projects they're central characters and subjects of research.
Everyone should have a view on a tree from home no matter how small the home is, according to the Amsterdam expression '3hoog achter', which means 3rd floor on the rear. There are people who live in a tiny flat with just a view on the back of a house. Other people do have a big house or flat and they also need to have a view on a tree, in my opinion. Over five years I made 52 drawings in charcoal and pastel of trees seen from homes in as many neighbourhoods in Amsterdam as possible. The pastels are live drawn. The first pastels were made during the covid lockdowns, views from my own home. There it all started.
The project resulted in a presentation at WG Kunst (Amsterdam) of 52 drawings in a panoramic map of Amsterdam. Visitors could walk from the far West of Amsterdam to the far East part of Amsterdam. At the opening of the exhibition the book Amsterdam 3hoog achter was presented. The book contains all the 52 drawings, the poems by five poets and the stories of the inhabitants about 'their' trees.
What: exhibition of 52 drawings in charcoal and pastel
When: Friday 4 April until Sunday 20 April 2025
Where: WG Kunst - Amsterdam
Occasion: the 750th birthday of Amsterdam
Guest performances, lectures and tree walks in the neighbourhood by poets and tree experts of Amsterdam.
Publication: all 52 drawings + poems + reports by inhabitants
For the latest news about this project, see the project page.
The book is available via every bookstore in the Netherlands. Useful information:
title: Amsterdam 3hoog achter
author: Jet Nijkamp
publisher: Tienstuks | ISBN: 978 90 8860 198 9
Exhibition and book are made possible through grants by the Amsterdam 750 Foundation, the Jaap Harten Foundation and by crowdfunding via Voordekunst, amongst whom the Cultuurfonds Noord-Holland.
Drawings (pastels) & videos about the Amsterdam Vondelpark (named after the Dutch poet Vondel), combined with poetry by Rozalie Hirs, Co Woudsma and Anna Enquist. A tribute to the 150th anniversary of the park.
The pastels in this video depict the Picasso sculpture, a landmark in the park, known by visitors as 'the bird' or 'the fish' or 'the bull' or.... hence I made my own Picasso. Co Woudsma's poem Eerste Vondelpark refers to the surrounding streets that are named after Dutch poets. Some of these poets have a first (Eerste) and a second street named after.
See the agenda for news, upcoming events and past exhibitions (archive).
Scroll down for project information
↓
Trees are fascinating creatures. They're older than humans. Their annual rings form a readable memory, an archive of the climate. Trees whisper, move and provide shadow. And humans project mythical stories upon them. We need trees now more than ever. In many of my projects they're central characters and subjects of research.
Everyone should have a view on a tree from home no matter how small the home is, according to the Amsterdam expression '3hoog achter', which means 3rd floor on the rear. There are people who live in a tiny flat with just a view on the back of a house. Other people do have a big house or flat and they also need to have a view on a tree, in my opinion. Over five years I made 52 drawings in charcoal and pastel of trees seen from homes in as many neighbourhoods in Amsterdam as possible. The pastels are live drawn. The first pastels were made during the covid lockdowns, views from my own home. There it all started.
What: exhibition of 52 drawings in charcoal and pastel
When: Friday 4 April until Sunday 20 April 2025
Where: WG Kunst - Amsterdam
Occasion: the 750th birthday of Amsterdam
Guest performances and tree walks in the neighbourhood: poets and tree experts of Amsterdam.
Publication: all 52 drawings + poems + reports by inhabitants
For the latest news about this project, see the project page.
The book is available via every bookstore in the Netherlands. Useful information:
title: Amsterdam 3hoog achter
author: Jet Nijkamp
publisher: Tienstuks | ISBN: 978 90 8860 198 9
Exhibition and book are made possible through grants by the Amsterdam 750 Foundation, the Jaap Harten Foundation and by crowdfunding via Voordekunst, amongst whom the Cultuurfonds Noord-Holland.
Drawings (pastels) & videos about the Amsterdam Vondelpark (named after the Dutch poet Vondel), combined with poetry by Rozalie Hirs, Co Woudsma and Anna Enquist. A tribute to the 150th anniversary of the park.
The pastels in this video depict the Picasso sculpture, a landmark in the park, known by visitors as 'the bird' or 'the fish' or 'the bull' or.... hence I made my own Picasso. Co Woudsma's poem Eerste Vondelpark refers to the surrounding streets that are named after Dutch poets. Some of these poets have a first (Eerste) and a second street named after.
