The countryside is a place of tranquility, space, and conviviality. Yet, it has recently become a subject of debate and division. In this project, ‘Wonderlust,’ Tim Jongerius and Nienke Hoogvliet seek to inspire wonder by transforming local materials into an interactive exhibition. What do you feel, see, smell? Can this sense of wonder lead to a renewed perspective on the local environment and foster greater connectedness with nature and each other?
Within the exhibition, visitors are invited to interact with three distinct furniture pieces. They can take a seat on the woolen bench and observe the hanging fabrics around. They can delve their nose into the soft wardrobe and inhale the distinctive scents of the surroundings. They can take a close look at the materials on the table. The aim is to open all the senses, zoom in on details, and let the mind wonder about the beauty of the local environment.
The furniture is crafted from pine wood sourced from Norway spruce trees. In Echtenerzand, many trees of this species were felled last winter due to infestation by the bark beetle, which damages the trees by tunneling through the wood, disrupting the tree’s sap flow and causing it to weaken and die. The patterns on the furniture are inspired by the characteristic shapes created by the bark beetle in the wood.
The wool comes from a herd of Schoonebeeker heath sheep kept by shepherd Neils Tiktak in Orvelte. This is a rare breed with significant cultural value, and Neils works diligently to preserve it. The sheep are often multicolored, with a distinctive curved nose, long-haired coat, tall legs, and long tail. The wool is washed, carded, and then incorporated into the furniture to honor the beauty of the wool.
By creatively and aesthetically applying local materials, the designers aim to offer visitors a fresh perspective on the value of nature. This, in turn, can stimulate dialogue about the future of the countryside and the role of nature within it.
A project for festival Wiede Wold
Curated by Jorn Konijn & Lisa Hardon
![[WONDERLUST]
With our new project [WONDERLUST] for @wiedewold, we aim to offer visitors a fresh perspective on the value of nature. The furniture is crafted from pine wood sourced from Norway spruce trees. In Echtenerzand, a local natural reserve, many trees of this species were felled last winter due to infestation by the bark beetle. This beetle damages the trees by tunneling through the wood, disrupting the tree’s sap flow and causing it to weaken and die. The patterns on the furniture are inspired by the characteristic shapes created by the bark beetle in the wood.
On the table, we showcase different forest finds, things that surprised us with their natural beauty. Do you ever take the time to wonder about these small details while wandering through the forest? In this exhibition, you can observe all these tiny beauties.
By providing a new perspective on the local surroundings, we hope to stimulate a dialogue about the future of the countryside and the role of nature within it.
A collaboration with @tim.jongerius
Curated by @jorn.konijn and @lisa_hardon
A special thanks to @brunoszenk and @iiadrianaii](https://www.nienkehoogvliet.nl/wp-content/plugins/instagram-feed/img/placeholder.png)