ARTIS-Groote Museum in Amsterdam Presents 'Pillars of Life' by Lizan Freijsen
The ARTIS-Groote Museum in Amsterdam has unveiled a new exhibition, 'Pillars of Life,' featuring the work of artist Lizan Freijsen. Launched on September 11, this exhibition explores the intricate connections between humans, animals, and nature through a unique lens, focusing on unseen elements that shape our environment.
Unearthing Amsterdam's Hidden Foundations
Freijsen's final artistic endeavor for this exhibition serves as an ode to the unseen wooden piles that historically supported the city of Amsterdam, metaphorically lifting it from its original swampy terrain. This concept deeply resonates with the ARTIS-Groote Museum's mission to highlight the relationships across all forms of life. Freijsen's work transforms the invisible into valuable insights, inviting visitors to observe familiar phenomena with renewed attention.
The exhibition integrates a monumental photographic work by landscape photographer Hans Wilschut. It features a Norwegian forest, mirroring the source of the 16th-century timber used for Amsterdam's foundations. This piece is displayed alongside actual wooden piles that once supported the Groote Museum itself. To further enrich the visitor experience, the museum offers a special tour titled 'The Way of the Tree,' guiding visitors through ten permanent collection points focused on trees.
A Legacy Completed: The Artist's Vision
Lizan Freijsen passed away unexpectedly in February, shortly before the exhibition's planned opening. In tribute to her vision, the TextielMuseum and ARTIS-Groote Museum collaborated with her family to ensure 'Pillars of Life' could still be presented. Karen Zeedijk, a tuft specialist from the TextielLab who frequently worked with Freijsen, played a crucial role in completing the central textile piece according to the artist's original concept.
Freijsen described her artwork as a "soft spot of attention," aiming to visualize overlooked beauty. An introductory film by Marieke van der Lippe within the exhibition provides insight into her creative process and philosophical approach. Freijsen believed that revealing these hidden relationships could foster a different appreciation for life, particularly emphasizing the often-missed importance of plants. This marks a continuation of Freijsen's collaboration with ARTIS; in 2021, she contributed a wall composition to ARTIS-Micropia, focusing on the growth and processes of fungi to enhance appreciation for these micro-organisms.
Plan Your Visit to the 'Pillars of Life' Exhibition
The 'Pillars of Life' exhibition is on display at the ARTIS-Groote Museum from September 11 until March 9. The exhibition was made possible with financial contributions from the Mondriaan Fund and CBK Rotterdam.
To discover more cultural experiences and unique exhibitions like 'Pillars of Life' across Amsterdam, explore Musemap (musemap.art) or browse other museums in the city. You can also view local cultural spots on a map.
