Thinking Forest is a radically sustainable exhibition space, where ecology, contemporary art and science meet in a production forest. The double meaning of ‘Thinking Forest’ points to both the natural wisdom of the forest as an ecosystem and a place to think, reflect and learn; an organic model for the development and the spreading of seedling ideas. Within the forest, art and wood production, decay, biodiversity, science and a public program come together. Thus the notion of ‘production forest’ can be reimagined as beneficial to all nature, humans included, instead of nature’s submission.

Thinking Forest is an initiative of artist Gerbrand Burger and it is realized by the Thinking Forest Foundation.

Alice Bonnot, Nina Backman, Germaine Kruip and Siebe Tettero, Landgoed Welna, 2024

We're looking back at a very special meetup: Growing Roots (as art economy), during the summer solstice at Landgoed Welna.

Alice Bonnot mapped out various strategies of public and private art institutions towards a sustainable future. Her insightful talk led up to an intimate and open conversation about the dilemma’s of collecting in the face of climate change, the possiblity of museums without walls and art works that don’t need preservation, the power of silence in meeting one another, and much more.

Photography: Matthijs Immink

Gerbrand Burger, Landgoed Welna, 2024

Artist and founder of Thinking Forest Foundation, Gerbrand Burger, was artist in residence at Landgoed Welna from January - March 2024, and created the sculptural installation On a Trajectory Through a Maze Of Trajectories. The title refers to a text by anthropologist Tim Ingold, who writes how objects and materials as separate, finished entities don’t really exist; all materials are continually becoming, sometimes in correspondence with human makers, on their trajectories through a maze of trajectories.

Photography: Petra Katanic