Andy Holden at Kröller-Müller Museum

The Wood for the Trees features artworks by four artists who examine the relationship between humans and nature in different ways in their work. Andy Holden watches and listens to birds, Eija-Liisa Ahtila enters into conversation with nature, Julian Charrière explores the role of the landscape in art and Hans Op de Beeck discusses climate change.

No museum in the Netherlands is as intertwined with nature as the Kröller-Müller Museum. Its founder Helene Kröller-Müller believed that it is much easier to concentrate on and enjoy art in the tranquillity of nature, rather than the hustle and bustle of the city. Today you can still experience outstanding art here, amidst the peace and quiet of nature. The climatic crises are enormous and complex. A simple answer does not exist. What’s more, in the labyrinth of opinions, solutions and discussions, we often cannot see the wood for the trees. Where to start? How do you organize your (own) life to ‘act responsibly’? And how can you best listen? Who are you actually talking to? The Wood for the Trees raises these questions and invites you to reflect on your own role in the midst of the beautiful nature that surrounds the Kröller-Müller Museum.

On show will be a selection from Andy Holden’s extensive project Natural Selection, consisting of objects, video installations and a ‘larger than life’ re-creation of a bowerbird’s nest. Also on view will be his famous installation Pyramid Piece, which was first shown at Kunstfort Vijfhuizen (2008) and at Tate Britain (Art Now, 2010).

Part of the exhibition at the Kröller-Müller Museum are three new bronze sculptures entitled Auguries that refer to the recordings of bird sounds of bird species that are in rapid decline. These sculptures have been acquired by the museum and will be on permanent display in the sculpture garden.

The exhibition will be on view until 15 September 2024. A special performance of Lecture on bird song by Andy Holden and his father Peter Holden, world-renowned ornithologist, will take place on 26 May 2024. Details to follow.

To plan your visit to the Kröller-Müller Museum, please visit the museum website. Please contact us via email for more information.