In my post of highlights from this year’s Floriade Expo, I shared a teaser of a bird detail from Lian de Gier’s wonder-full mosaic on display in the Green House. If you didn’t see the peacock for lack of a tail, at least you had an excuse, not being in front of the whole 5m x 2.5m mosaic.
The artist has explained that this is a tidy peacock who doesn’t like to see mess in nature, and recycles discarded items amongst his feathers to make himself more beautiful. His finds include a necklace of ring pulls from cans of pop, a key, toothbrush, syringe, clothes peg, wine bottle cork, dice, button and spoon.
Not content with my sins against ornithology, I also mistook the clay petals the mosaic is made from for pebbles. But I knew little about the story behind the mosaic until researching it afterwards with the help of Google Translate.
Moving in closer to any part of the design reveals sweet details.
I’d have loved the chance to talk through the installation with Lian de Gier as I’m sure every element has its own story. Dutch speakers might enjoy this YouTube clip:
Even without explanation, the mosaic provides rich food for dreamers.
I’ve noticed before when talking to creative people that story woven into art intensifies when the process is painstaking and lengthy. And making the clay petals is ‘monks’ work’, according to the artist. She made the clay from wood flour that came from trees felled in Almere during the construction of the expo. Each clay petal is handpainted and many are patterned or decorated.
I mentioned the idea of collaborative, polder model of politics in my earlier post and it struck me that this could be called Polder Art. Almere residents and people who saw the some of the mosaic’s panels being made at events and festivals were encouraged to paint at least one of the clay petals and to add decoration, if they wished. Some people’s drawings were incorporated as elements of the design. As the artist explains:
“With or without a disability, young or old, creative or not, it doesn’t matter: your contribution contributes to a more beautiful whole.”
The project was briefly put on hold during Covid-19 lockdowns and at one stage the mosaic was shut away in the Town Hall, out of reach of the artist. How frustrating that must have been! Following the instinct many of us had to mark the times, she did not try to cover over signs of the work being interrupted but left it as it was, ‘because it shows the zeitgeist.’
The artwork is modular, assembled from panels, and even my widest shot doesn’t show it entirely. Its central figure, with a half white, half black face, represents a welcoming, multicultural society, while tulips are the national flower of The Netherlands.
De Droomtuin has a child-like joy and so much that nature lovers can relate to: trees, hearts, butterflies, birds, fish and flowers of all types, even in the sky. As an invocation to happiness, it worked its magic on me.
De Droomtuin is on display at The Keukenhof in Lisse from 23th March until 14th May 2023.
Susan Rushton 
That is so absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing and explaining 💕
I couldn’t find anything much online in English but thought this ought to be shared.
I love this, it’s wonderful 🙂
I’m glad you liked it too.
I love that winking owl. And the story behind the peacock is very cool….great concept.
I was puzzled by the peacock, and the more I looked the more puzzled I was. That’s what made me want to find out more.
What a wonderful piece, and thanks for telling her story.
It’s nice to be able to share.
What a lovely piece,and how good that you got so involved with it. It must have been quite an enriching experience.
It was one of those artworks you just want to linger over.
This is so beautiful and cheer-inducing. Thank you for sharing it and its message.
That’s what I wanted – to share the joy.
You succeeded! 😊🙏
It’s a phenomenal piece of work. Or many pieces 🤣💗 The frog might be my favourite 😍
It’s got great eyes.
That was fun Susan 🙂
Certainly one of the highlights of the show.
Even though I couldn’t understand a word she said, I loved listening to the lilt of her words. And it was good to see the size of these works next to her. They are indeed “wonder-full”! I keep looking and seeing more. I cannot begin to imagine the work, but I can imagine the fun. She must love seeing these take form! Thanks so much for the better look! Now I can say I know a tidy peacock! How amazing!
Had you guessed it was a peacock? It’s so obvious once you’ve seen the tail.
No, not at all! My first impression was that it was a blue version of Big Bird (of Sesame Street fame). The peacock fan was a total surprise! It was like a big gotcha laugh!
I loved every photo. Thank you for your careful attention.
I’m really glad you liked it.
The mosaic art, presenting the colourful world of nature, is a delight to behold.
It’s so much fun, isn’t it.
A wonderful presentation of a delightful project. Even without the language the video is engrossing
I thought so too.