Baarn
proposal
digital sketch for
trajectory for Rembrandt
- 2002 - Salix Alba (white willow) - arc length 250m - Baarn NL (view to the North)
"Around
the Groeneveld Castle the English garden style prevails. The surrounding area
with plots of farmland was laid out according to a geometrical system, as is the
layout of the greater part of Holland. The location of the gardens follows this
mathematical system. But the style of the gardens themselves is informal and
asymmetrical.
I chose this location not only because of its length. The path, flanked by rows
of old trees, has a strong perspective - the small rise which can be seen in the
distance, between the left trees, appealed to me. The three aged oaks against it
evoke Rembrandt's etching three trees of 1643. I planted one hundred willow
branches, in a curved line, over a length of two hundred meters. The parabolic
curve begins parallel to the axis of the lane on its South end. The Northern end
of the arc turns until it is perpendicular to the axis of the three trees. The
top of the willows - above my eye level - was whitewashed in order to set them
off against the darker background of the forest on the east side. The cadence of
the lane's trees is echoed by that of the willows; however their course changes
direction in order to focus the attention on the three trees.
Every three years the branches of the willows will be cut and the new, light
green foliage will accentuate the trajectory and contrast with the larger and
darker forest on one side; in the other direction their specific shapes will
distinguish themselves against the lighter background. The specific form of the
pollard willow will remain constant through its pruning cycle.
"
Lucien den Arend
three trees
- Rembrandt - 1643 - dry point and burin
|
three trees at
Groeneveld
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