The architectural firm MVRDV, in collaboration with the Van Gogh Foundation and the municipality of Tilburg, aims to draw attention to the beloved region of the renowned artist.
It’s worth noting that on March 30, 1853, in this very area, in the province of North Brabant in southern Netherlands, the future post-impressionist Vincent van Gogh was born.
Historically, North Brabant has been celebrated for its stunning landscapes. Today, however, this region is suffering from an ecological crisis caused by human activity. Is it possible to find a balance between the idyllic nature that inspired Vincent van Gogh 150 years ago and technological progress?
On one hand, the creators of the Van Gogh Homeland project will showcase the charms of the Brabant landscape to all who are interested. On the other hand, they will demonstrate how this natural treasure can be revived and preserved.
“By combining knowledge in architecture, landscape design, and sustainable development, along with experience in the leisure industry, the initiators aim to rekindle enthusiasm among both young and older people for the Brabant landscape,” the MVRDV team wrote on their website.
What the Van Gogh Homeland Eco-Center Will Entail
According to the designers’ vision, this beautiful location will feature an educational hub and recreational areas. However, the primary focus of Van Gogh Homeland will be a biennale of art and architecture, with the first exhibition event scheduled for 2025. The curator selected for this event is Winy Maas, co-founder of MVRDV.
The biennale will be a large-scale outdoor exhibition held in the region every two years. Numerous installations and other art objects will be scattered throughout North Brabant, as reported by Designboom. Visitors will embark on adventurous expeditions through temporary super dunes, plant towers, rain chambers, and houses covered in heather. Artists participating in the biennale will highlight the region’s beauty and explore the diverse possibilities of landscape use.
In early March, the team of architects submitted the Van Gogh Homeland plan to Stein Smelders, a member of the North Brabant provincial council, who is facilitating the realization of this grand idea.