De Ontheemtuin | Nils van Went & Nicky Castricum

De Ontheemtuin - Nils van Went

The Ontheemtuin is a mobile educational butterfly garden. The origin of the Ontheemtuin is the evacuation of the butterfly garden in Buikslotermeerplein for the construction of a building. Now the garden is displaced and on wheels. Like a piece of supernumerary nature, it is adrift through Amsterdam Noord, visiting all sorts of places where nature is being decimated. This is to make it clear that Amsterdam nature is displaced. Around this driving reserve, with a cultural and nature-loving program, we will reintroduce nature into our culture. There is hope! The artwork is formed on the one hand by the macro magnification of large steel butterflies and on the other hand nature; For this purpose butterfly garden Mot in Mokum has created div habitats for different butterfly species. The Ontheemtuin is a world in balance: there is room for human culture and nature.

About the artist

Nils van Went specializes in designing and creating works of art and functional objects from old metal. 'I give used metal a second life as a stove, fence, lamp, frame or whatever,' says Nils. 'What I make is actually always artistic in design, but my objects and installations usually have a practical function.' Nicky Castricum owns Vlindertuin Mot in Mokum and is the initiator of the Ontheemtuin, the educational and cultural program. The planting of the Ontheemtuin is special: specifically chosen to provide different butterfly species with host plants, gestation plants or hiding or overwintering places. Moreover, planted in biotopes and suitable to withstand the extremes of a traveling garden. Many plant species are rare or on the red list.