Growing Roots

On the longest day of the year, June 21st, we gathered for the second Thinking Forest event at Welna. Alice Bonnot opened the program with a lecture on different responses to climate crises across sectors, and how they might support each other. Afterwards, she moderated a panel talk with Germaine Kruip, Siebe Tettero and Nina Backman. In the evening, we joined around a table set among the trees for a special meal completely in silence, hosted by Nina Backman.

The afternoon program started with a lecture by curator, sustainability consultant and writer Alice Bonnot. This lecture examined how differences between the public and private sectors shape their responses to climate crises and explored ways they can collaborate and share knowledge for mutual benefit. Afterwards, Alice Bonnot moderated a conversation between artist Germaine Kruip, art consultant Siebe Tettero, and artist Nina Backman. Together, they engaged in an open conversation about the dilemma’s of collecting in the face of climate change, the possibility of a museum without walls and art works that don’t need preservation, and the power of silence in meeting one another, and much more.The conversation delved into the way each of the guests navigate the seemingly unbridgeable worlds of the commercial art economy and the ecological reality.

Moving into the evening, guests were invited to take place at a dinner table set among the trees. The dinner was led by Finnish artist Nina Backman, following her concept of The Silence Meal. This performative, culinary experience consists of a multicourse dinner that is consumed completely in silence. Set in the forest, the surrounding sounds and thoughts that come up when spending time here can come to the surface. Though this day marked the beginning of summer, this day was characterized by intense rainfall resemblant of the fall season. This, however, did not stop the dinner from taking place outside. Sitting together in silence, in the rain, allowed us to perceive ourselves, one another and the forest with all senses. In that sense, the rain helped to get immersed in Welna’s surroundings. This remarkable setting resulted in a unique dinner experience that we will never forget.

The menu for this evening was made up of carefully selected dishes with fresh and local ingredients, some coming directly from the forest, and was arranged by Marieke and Giel from D.O.N.S. Catering / De Groene Ketel.

Thank you to all of our contributors, as well as Sub3 Art Fund, Stichting Stokroos en Landgoed Welna for making this program possible.