Foraging Rituals, 2022
Digesting colour
Material: cotton, naturally dyed with 13 plant samples from Amstel Park, food made from the same plants
Dimensions: 2 x 5 m
Material: cotton, naturally dyed with 13 plant samples from Amstel Park, food made from the same plants
Dimensions: 2 x 5 m
Incantions
Material: cotton, collectively dyed with flowers from Amstel Park and distributed piece by piece among visitors
Dimensions: 1.5 x 3 m
Spoken words about ecological grief by Angela Jerardi
Multisensory design by Katrijn Westland
Material: cotton, collectively dyed with flowers from Amstel Park and distributed piece by piece among visitors
Dimensions: 1.5 x 3 m
Spoken words about ecological grief by Angela Jerardi
Multisensory design by Katrijn Westland
Understanding the practical uses of plants can revive an appreciation of flora in urban settings, nurture respectful relationships between humans and plants, and reclaim cooperative dynamics within ecosystems.
The work unfolds within an urban landscape where plants persist as quiet, often unnoticed companions. Though frequently reduced to ornament or background, these species carry deep medicinal, edible, and chromatic histories. Turning toward the overlooked flora of Amstel Park, the project approaches them as living symbols of resilience, cooperation, and interdependence.
Gathered during a month-long residency with the School of Multispecies at Zone2Source, elder, linden, alder, birch, ivy, nettle, hawthorn, St. John’s wort, buddleja, and evening primrose became active participants. Through dye baths, lake pigments, plant inks, edible preparations, beverages, multisensory experiences, and story spells, their properties were slowly released and re-composed.
Developed in collaboration with Angela Jerardi and Katrijn Westland, the work unfolded as a dialogue piece presented as a public program of the park, inviting renewed intimacy between visitors and the diverse plant life of Amstel Park.
