Invisible Connections (cells), 2024

The work takes a poetic approach to the beginning of (plant) life. It starts with a cell, which develops into interwoven tissue that gradually forms the final structure and shape of a specific species. These cellular tissues are magnified and transformed into a delicate yet resilient structure. To achieve this, nettle fibres were first separated from the stem and twisted into strings, which then take shape as circles of varying sizes and forms, slowly merging together. Each circle is connected through knotting, creating a stable structure. This artistic process mirrors natural growth patterns, requiring time and patience. The resulting structure also evokes lace, a material that was once highly valued in the Flanders region.

Suspended over a narrow path, the work blends almost seamlessly into the greenery of the trees and their countless branches. At first glance, it may seem to disappear, but if you look closely, you can see and even touch it. It moves in the wind, with light shining through, allowing it to communicate with its natural surroundings.

The work was created solely with natural materials found on-site during the Nature Art 2024 residency, organised by CC ‚t Vondel, Halle/Brussels in Belgium, in the forest of „De Zavelput“.