One of the planters on 1 November is Annemarijke Graat, who works at Radboud University on the Sustainable Work Programme. “Sustainable work is not only about your workspace, but also about the beautiful environment that encourages employees to enjoy coming to campus. That is why I’m helping out with this project today.” Moreover, this kind of environment can lure people out for an outdoor meeting. “Go outside! Meetings don't necessarily have to take place indoors.”
The three green circles are one of the seven art objects of the Walk of Wonder, which opened last year. The sign-posted route is already in place, the surrounding art is now in the works. Birthe Leemeijer conceived the art object under the heading of ‘recovery’: bulbs of wild hyacinths and finger lilies will be planted on three cleared circles, which will rise to the surface in spring as company for the dozens of ferns that are now being planted in the ground. “Flowers like these used to grow on the former estate of this campus,” says Leemeijer to explain her choice of flowers. “These days you mostly see rhododendrons and brambles on campus. With this project, we are also strengthening biodiversity, with flowers that are scented and will also serve insects.”
Process of recovery
The artwork's proximity to the hospital gave Leemeijer the inspiration for the art project. “It takes a lot to assist people in their recovery day in and day out. Do the medical staff take enough care of themselves that they can always provide space for this recovery?” For Leemeijer, planting bulbs is like undergoing surgery: “Just like a bulb that is planted in the earth, something happens in your body that you cannot see; it's invisible. Soon, the earth will split open and the plants will emerge, just as people recover after surgery.”
These are more than just words, observes Judith van Beukering, Coordinator of the Walk of Wonder. “As we were planting the bulbs this morning, conversations already started emerging about what people were going through, about their own recovery.” Annemarijke Graat: “Being outside and meeting each other in the greenery, that is the strength of this campus.” One of the planters today is Maaike van Roosmalen, second-year student in Molecular Life Sciences: “I enjoy contributing to a greener campus, and rolling up my sleeves this morning is a nice break in this exam week.”
Birthe Leemeijer's artwork, ‘Springiness’, is part of the Walk of Wonder art route, a contemporary inclusive version of the Catholic Way of the Cross. The complete Walk of Wonder with seven art objects will open in 2024. The three circles of Springiness are located in the woods between the University Chaplaincy and Radboud university medical center.