This fall, discover the dream landscapes of internationally acclaimed Dutch landscape designer Piet Oudolf (1944, Haarlem). Piet shows nature at its very best. His gardens are a world unto themselves, with plants and grasses that continue to amaze all seasons. Dreamscapes brings his universe to life with drawings, sketches, photography and film. The exhibition invites you to look more attentively at what grows, changes and passes.
Experience one of Piet's newest gardens in Dordt's Hofkwartier district, right in front of the entrance to the Art Church. Inside, admire the original drawings of this garden. Also on display are impressive projects such as the High Line in New York, Oudolf Field at Hauser & Wirth Somerset in England and the Oudolf Garten on the Vitra Campus in Germany. They show how Piet transforms places into gardens full of tranquility, space and romance. They are landscapes to wander off into, in the middle of a busy world.
Every dream begins on paper. The exhibition focuses on Pete's hand-drawn planting plans. He uses colored pencil, felt-tip pen and highlighter to create his designs. Each plan includes a legend with colorful symbols - dashes, circles, crosses and dots - with each symbol representing a specific plant. These drawings show how experience, knowledge and sense of atmosphere come together in shaping his dream landscapes that continue to inspire around the world.
Piet Oudolf (1944) grew up in Haarlem and developed into one of the most influential landscape designers in the world. In 1982 he and his wife Anja move to an old farmhouse in Hummelo, where they start a nursery and experimental garden. This place grows into an important base for their ideas about garden design and for years attracted visitors from all over the world. His gardens combine ecology with aesthetics and showcase the beauty of all seasons. His work and ideas spread worldwide through his gardens, over twenty publications and several exhibitions. In doing so, he inspires generations of designers, architects and artists. In the Netherlands he designed, among others, the gardens at Museum Voorlinden, Vlinderhof in Utrecht and in Rotterdam: Leuvehoofd, Ichtushof and Westerkade.
The Art Church is open Thursday through Sunday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
